Week two of the Nationals' regular season has concluded, seeing a series split versus the Colorado Rockies and a sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays. Starting pitcher Josiah Gray and center fielder Victor Robles are District on Deck Players of the Week.
The beginning of the week was rough for Nats fans. Dropping three in a row to the Rays with lackluster offense most of the series wasn't ideal heading into a hitter-friendly Coors Field. One-run games are unlikely in Colorado, but that's what occurred on Thursday night. Although the offense spoiled Josiah Gray's best start of the young season, it was enough to earn Pitcher of the Week.
Josiah Gray's 2 1st Inning Ks...and Sword. ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/ezsvRQ8Xsw
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 6, 2023
Colorado air returned for the weekend along with the Nationals' offense. Washington split the series with the Rockies earning two wins. Victor Robles was a consistent threat throughout the week for the Nats earning him Hitter of the Week honors.
Washington Nationals Pitcher of the Week
Josiah Gray
A strong start was needed for 24-year-old Josiah Gray. The right-hander threw six innings of one-run ball while scattering eight hits and striking out six. Josiah didn't allow a home run and walked just one batter, lowering his ERA to 4.91. Gray's performance was "gutsy" and showed why the Nationals traded for him. Although the Nationals lost the game, Josiah's performance was enough to earn him Pitcher of the Week honors. Half Street High Heat took a deeper dive into what a solid start at Coors Field could mean for Gray going forward.
The Nationals pitching has been excellent so far at Coors Field, including a gutsy outing from Josiah Gray in the series opener. @Reverrsse breaks it down here⬇️⬇️⬇️https://t.co/l033AL8idV
— Half Street High Heat (@HalfStHighHeat) April 9, 2023
Washington Nationals Hitter of the Week
Victor Robles
A double off Rays' ace Shane McClanahan and reaching base four times versus Colorado headlined Robles' fantastic week. The soon-to-be 26-year-old has been a bright spot for Washington as he seems to have turned a corner in his development. Through Sunday's game, Victor's hitting .387 with a .472 OBP, according to baseball-reference.com. Both are career highs by a mile. Those numbers will likely lower due to more at-bats, but just three strikeouts in 37 plate appearances is very encouraging. Robles also recorded his first stolen base of the season on Friday night during his three-hit performance versus Colorado.
#Nationals Victor Robles so far in 2023 — Through his first 41 PA so far:
— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) April 11, 2023
- Walking (12.2%) more than striking out (7.3%)
- Hard hit% is up but still not good (33.3%)
- Contact rates up (91.1% Z-contact)
- Less swing-and-miss & chases
- Lacking barrels
- GB%: 53.1% pic.twitter.com/fiagLH391R
Not many could have predicted that Victor Robles' statistics 10 games into the season, but Nationals fans will certainly welcome it. Week two of the season saw the progression of many Nats' players; MacKenzie Gore, Mason Thompson, Alex Call, Stone Garrett, CJ Abrams, and Lane Thomas.
The Nats will face Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels followed by Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians in week three of the season. Both Josiah Gray and MacKenzie Gore are scheduled to start versus the Angels and their strong lineup. It should be an exciting week for Nationals fans.