Welcome to a new Series at The Nats Report! At the end of each week, we’ll go through that week’s games and pick out that week’s MVP, Hitter of the Week, Pitcher of the Week, and Prospect of the Week. With that out of the way, on with the show. As you will notice, most of these awards went to prospects for this week’s awards as we have yet to see the big-league players play more frequently.
MVP: RHP Cade Cavalli
We’ve only had three spring training games so far, and there hasn’t been a ton of good, with our best hitters having limited PAs and our pitchers struggling for the most part. Cavalli has been the clear exception. Against the Astros, Cavalli tossed three innings of relief where he struck out six and only allowed one baserunner. Cade Cavalli dominated this week, and no one else came close.
Hitter of the Week: IF Lucius Fox
Fox led the Nats in XBH this week with two and total bases with 6, four of which came from the Nationals’ only homer this spring. While Fox’s double and home run came off of middling competition, he’s beginning to make a case for his place within the Nats’ crowded (albeit mediocre) infield.
Pitcher of the Week: RHP Anibal Sanchez
Unfortunately, I can’t give Cavalli multiple awards. However, Anibal was almost as good. He tossed 2.1 innings against the Astros, striking out three batters, and didn’t give up a hit. Compared to the iffy at best starts from RHP Josiah Gray and LHP Josh Rogers. Anibal Sanchez, far and away, deserves pitcher of the week (again, other than Cade Cavalli).
Prospect of the Week: 2B Darren Baker
Darren Baker didn’t hit for power like Lucius Fox did or dominated as Cavalli did, but he had some positive signs. First of all, how could I neglect to acknowledge the beautiful moment he shared with his father before Sunday’s game. Secondly, he delivered in the clutch. Baker did go 1-1 with a single, but his most important PA was his sac fly which gave the Nationals the lead late.
Baker may not be in the Nationals’ top 30 prospects yet, but if he keeps hitting like he did last year, he may soon find himself on that list.
