JACKALS NELSON TAKES PLAYER OF THE WEEK, CAPITALES FUENTES WINS PITCHER OF THE WEEK.
June 12th, 2023 - For the third week on the bounce, the east has swept the weekly awards, this time Jackals 3rd baseman James Nelson takes home player of the week.
The 6'0, 210 lb, former 15th round pick from Clayton County, Georgia, has started the year by being something of a stat sheet stuffer for New Jersey. Through 117 plate appearances this season, Nelson has scored 30 runs, hit seven HR and stole nine bases while slashing .410/.487/.720 and carrying a strong 1.207 OPS.
This week, Nelson came out of the gate with a 2 for 4, two RBI night in Tuesday nights 12-4 romp over the Wild Things.
On Thursday, in a wildfire induced day night doubleheader, Nelson reached base five times across both games and drove in a run as the Jackals completed a sweep of Washington.
The following day the Jackals welcomed the Aigles to town with a 16-1 beatdown. Nelson was one of five Jackals to go deep as he went 2 for 5 with two runs scored, three driven in and a walk.
Entering the weekend red hot, Nelson went certifiably nuclear on Saturday night, hitting for the cycle while driving in two and stealing a bag as the Jackals themselves stayed scorching hot with a 8-6 win over Trois-Rivieres.
On Sunday, Nelson capped his torrid week with two more hits, three more runs scored and a stolen base as the Jackals finished off their second consecutive sweep.
Becoming the second Capitales pitcher to win the award this season, Steven Fuentes is our pitcher of the week.
The 26 year old Panamanian righty is on his 16th different team in the US, so far, he has reached as high as AAA ball in the Nationals organization.
Pat Scalabrini gave Fuentes the ball twice this week and both times was rewarded with excellent outings.
On Tuesday, Fuentes went six innings, allowing only five baserunners and striking out four while blanking the Slammers on the scoreboard.
Fuentes' name was called again on Sunday against the Wild Things, this time he gave the Capitales seven innings of one run baseball, inducing four double play balls to go with three strikeouts as he picked up his second win of the week.
