Another week, another Minors Monday. Nationals wrap up Week 2 of the minor leagues with several players on rehab assignments in the lower levels while Darren Baker is the MVP of this week.
Starting with the FredNats, Elijah Green regressed a bit from last week’s eventful week, hitting just .118 on the week. His strikeout rate is also up to 47.1% on the season, a clip of major concern.
With Green’s BABIP of .615 and his monstrously high punchout rate, it’ll be interesting to see how the 19-year-old No. 3 Nats prospect’s stats play out through a full season — rather than just 52 plate appearances in 12 rookie league games.
He also nearly legged out a little league homer early in the week but was tagged out at home.
Rehabbing with Single-A Fredericksburg is the organization’s second-ranked prospect, 21-year-old outfielder Robert Hassell III, who is likely to see time in Triple-A Rochester sometime this season after seeing 75 games in Double-A Harrisburg last season.
Hassell hit just .167 (2-for-12) with a walk in three outings for the FredNats this week, though, while No. 9 prospect in lefty Jake Bennett wasn’t able to build off of a strong week 1 — he allowed four runs across just 2 2/3 innings Thursday.
But, Friday, sixth-ranked prospect Jarlin Susana hurled a solid 3 2/3 innings, yielding just one hit and three walks while striking out six. Fifth-ranked Nats prospect Brady House also hit .400 on the week, as in 10 at-bats he actually hit for the cycle with his four hits — a single, double, triple, and homer. Concerns of an injury after not being in the lineup Sunday were wiped out when he appeared in Tuesday’s starting nine for Fredericksburg.
FredNats week record: 1-5
FredNats POTW: Brady House
FredNats record: 3-6
Next series: vs. Delmarva
No. 1 Nats prospect James Wood is catching fire for High-A Wilmington, as he’s off to an impressive start — including a .478 week that followed a 1-for-9 weekend. He went 11-for-23 with two walks, a double, triple, homer, and seven RBI.
15th-ranked prospect Andry Lara wasn’t able to follow up last weekend’s five-inning scoreless start, serving up four runs through an identical five innings. No. 8 prospect Jeremy De La Rosa is hitting just .233 on the season but did have five hits across Wednesday and Thursday.
27-year-old outfielder Derek Hill is also rehabbing for the Blue Rocks, going 3-for-15 on the week with a double. Hill has parts of three seasons of big-league experience and could be a depth piece to Washington’s outfield.
Joining Hill in rehab is Donovan Casey, 27, whose highest level of experience is with Triple-A, as he’s spent the last two seasons with Triple-A Rochester.
Blue Rocks week record: 3-3
Blue Rocks POTW: James Wood
Blue Rocks record: 4-5
Next series: @ Brooklyn
Double-A Harrisburg has been by far the least exciting team in the Nats’ farm, but they shouldn’t go completely unmentioned.
No. 11 prospect Jackson Rutledge tossed five innings Thursday, allowing two runs on four hits, three walks, and four strikeouts. Amos Willingham hasn’t allowed a run through three relief outings, while Tim Cate has pitched to a 1.80 ERA in three relief appearances.
24th-ranked prospect Mitchell Parker has a 14.29 ERA in his first two starts, struggling to get going — he lasted just three innings Friday allowing five runs via four hits and four walks.
Omar Meregildo went 7-for-25 during the week, while No. 30 prospect Drew Millas struggled, going 3-for-14 with six strikeouts.
Senators week record: 4-2
Senators record: 5-4
POTW: Jackson Rutledge
Next series: @ Akron
Triple-A Rochester has won four of their past five after a 1-8 start to the season.
The 24-year-old second baseman in Baker is on fire — he went 14-for-28 (.500) in the six-game set and is looking to knock on the door of a major-league spot this season following a solid year in Harrisburg last season.
Jake Alu also made his way up to the Red Wings after rehabbing down with High-A Wilmington. Through four games with Rochester he went 7-for-19 (.412), as the 26-year-old is also trying to crack a major-league spot in the near future.
Joan Adon struggled in his third start of the season, going five innings and yielding four runs on seven hits.
Rochester also added major leaguers Nomar Mazara and Richie Martin to the roster this week. Mazara is 4-for-8 so far while Martin is 1-for-7.
Red Wings week record: 4-2
Red Wings record: 5-9
POTW: Darren Baker
Next series: @ Norfolk
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