Washington Nationals Minor Leagues: Players Of The Week (7/20-7/26)
By Ricky Keeler
(Photo Credit: Grading On The Curve)
Auburn Doubledays (16-19)
Hitter Of The Week: OF Victor Robles (.382, 2 HR, 7 RBI’s)
It’s been only eight games, but Robles has not show any signs of slowing down in the New York-Penn League after hitting .370 in the Gulf Coast League. The 18-year-old center fielder went 10-for-29 at the plate with two home runs and five RBI’s en route to being named New York-Penn League Player Of The Week.
Against the Vermont Lake Monsters (Oakland Athletics) on July 23, Robles went 4-for-5 with a triple, a home run, and two RBI’s. In those eight games, Robles has a .421 on-base percentage as well. He has been productive for Auburn in the leadoff spot as his young career is off to a great start.
Honorable Mention: 3B Kelvin Gutierrez (.272, 1 HR, 9 RBI’s)
Against the Lowell Spinners (Boston Red Sox) this past weekend, the 20-year old third baseman had two three-hit games. He went 7-for-13 in the series with three doubles and a RBI. The 20-year-old has nine doubles this season, which leads the team and is two doubles off the league lead. Last season, in the Gulf Coast League, Gutierrez hit .286 with no home runs and 25 RBI’s.
Pitcher Of The Week: SP Jefry Rodriguez (1-3, 4.22)
Rodriguez made one start this past week on July 21 against the Vermont Lake Monsters. In that start, he went six innings, gave up no runs on five hits, and struck out six batters. Despite not getting a decision, Rodriguez did not walk anybody for the first time this season.The 22-year-old right-hander has struck out 20 batters in his last three outings and has recorded at least six strikeouts in each game. In four starts this month, Rodriguez is 1-2 with a 3.13 ERA.
Honorable Mention: SP Taylor Hearn (1-2, 2.74)
While Hearn went 0-1 in his two starts this past week, he was able to rack up the strikeouts. In his last start against the Spinners yesterday, he went 4.2 innings, gave up two runs on five hits, struck out seven, and walked one. In his prior start against the West Virginia Black Bears on July 20, he went 4.1 innings, gave up two runs on five hits, struck out four, and walked one in a loss.
The 20-year-old left-hander is 1-2 this season, but he has 22 strikeouts in the four games that he has pitched in. The 22 K’s are third on the team. The Nationals selected Hearn with their fifth round pick in last month’s draft.