As the regular season comes to a close for minor league, District Sports Page now takes a look around the Washington Nationals’ organization and reflects a year that was in minor league baseball. (NOTE: These are not “official” awards. They have been selected by the writer.)
Syracuse Chiefs, AAA International League, 81-62
Best Pitcher: Taylor Hill – This year has been a big one for right-hander Hill. Not only did he make his big league debut, he also put together quite a season for the Chiefs. In his first full season at triple-A, he went 11-7 in 24 starts with a 2.81 ERA. He pitched four complete games, two of them shutouts. At the halfway point, Hill was selected to the International League All-Star Team.
Silver Slugger and MVP: Steven Souza Jr. – This year was Souza’s first at triple-A. Another first, he also made his big-league debut. With the Chiefs, he bat .350 with a .590 slugging percentage. He hit 25 doubles, 18 homers and 75 RBI. On the bases, he swiped 26 bags. Like Hill, he was also selected to the International League All-Star Team and was recently named the league MVP.
Harrisburg Senators, AA Eastern League, 53-89
Best Pitcher: Tyler Herron – Ironically, Herron didn’t appear in DSP’s weekly minor league roundups throughout the season, yet here he is being awarded the team’s best pitcher award. The right-handed reliever put together quite the season out of the bullpen for the Senators. In 62.2 innings spanning 48 outings, he finished with a 2.73 ERA and 50 strikeouts.
Silver Slugger and MVP: Michael A. Taylor – The second half of the year was a busy one for Taylor. He bounced around from double-A, triple-A and made his major league debut in which he hit his first career homer in a Nationals uniform. Along with going to the MLB Futures Game and Eastern League All-Star Game, he was awarded the EL MVP Award just a few days ago. On the year, he hit .313 with a .529 SLG. Taylor hit 17 doubles, 22 HR, 61 RBI and stole 34 bases.
Potomac Nationals, High-Class A Carolina League, 78-58
Best Pitcher: Gilberto Mendez – Mendez spent the season in the bullpen for the P-Nats and did well. In 51.2 innings spanning 41 games, he picked up 15 saves, 49 strikeouts and posted a 3.14 ERA.
Silver Slugger: Oscar Tejeda – Tejeda led the team in homers (16) and RBI (65) this year. On the year, the third baseman bat .270 with a .470 slugging percentage. He hit 18 doubles and stole nine bases.
MVP: Tony Renda – Renda was a reliable piece of the puzzle for the P-Nats this year at second base. While he wasn’t the team’s power hitter – he didn’t hit a homer – he did bat .307 with a .381 on-base percentage. Renda led the team in hits with 127, including 21 doubles, four triples and 47 RBI.
Hagerstown Suns, Low-Class A South Atlantic League, 87-53
Silver Slugger: Wiler Difo – The 22 year old infielder put together a sensational season at single-A. Along with being a postseason All-Star, he was named the leagues MVP. Difo put together a .315/.360/.470 slashline, he also hit 31 doubles, 14 HR, 90 RBI and stole 49 bags.
Best Pitcher and MVP: Lucas Giolito – The Nationals first-round pick in 2012, Giolito ended the year after just 98 innings thanks to post-Tommy John surgery protocol. While it was cut short, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t impressive. In 20 starts, Giolito went 10-2 with a 2.20 ERA, 110 strikeouts, just 28 walks and held opponents to a batting average of .197. At the end of the year, he was named Most Outstanding Pitcher and Most Outstanding MLB Prospect.
Auburn Doubledays, Class A Short-Season New York Penn League, 34-41
Best Pitcher: Reynaldo Lopez – Lopez began the season starting for the Doubledays before being promoted to Hagerstown. In seven starts with Auburn, he went 3-2 and posted a .75 ERA. He struck out 31 batters and held opponents to a .125 batting average and .83 WHIP.
Silver Slugger: Raudy Read – Reed swung for the fences early and often for the Doubledays. He finished the season on a five-game hitting streak and led the team in doubles (20), homers (6) and RBI (35). He bat .281 with a .462 SLG and .332 on-base percentage.
MVP: Jose Marmolejos-Diaz – Throughout the season, Marmolejos-Diaz was consistent. The 21 year old infielder bat a slash line of .265/.341/.385 and hit 19 doubles, three triples, a homer and 31 RBI. He led the team in hits with 62.
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Brian Skinnell is a sports writer born and raised in the Washington, D.C.-metro area and covers the Washington Nationals, Wizards and MiLB for District Sports Page. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+!
About Brian Skinnell