Espinosa building up average; Walters enjoying career power surge

Second baseman Danny Espinosa has been able to build up his average over his last 10 games for Triple-A Syracuse. Espinosa is hitting .308 (12-for-39) the last 10 games, with two doubles and two RBIs. He still is striking out, 14 in the last 10 games, and drew three walks during this recent clip, but has had four multi-hit games in the run. * High Single-A Potomac Nationals first baseman Kevin Keyes is in a recent good rhythm, going 12-for-35 (.342) in his last nine games. Keyes has one double, two homers and nine RBIs in that span, three walks and nine strikeouts. His slugging percentage is .514 in his last nine games, and his OPS is up to .871. It is a good sign after an early stuggle, his average is now raised to .222 over 97 games, with 11 homers and 64 RBIs. * Syracuse shortstop Zach Walters has cooled off a bit recently, but had a nice 2-for-4 game last night with a double and a homer. Walters is batting .256 for the season and has set career mark for power, with 27 homers and 66 RBIs in 115 games. He also has 31 doubles and four triples. In 2012, Walters hit 12 homers, in 2011 he hit nine homers, and in 2010 four home runs. So his 2013 numbers are more than the last three seasons combined. He was ranked No. 14 on the list of Nats prospects by MLB.com. * Short season Single-A Auburn right-hander Jake Johansen struck out a career-high eight batters on Sunday. He has struck out a total of 16 batters in his last three starts and is beginning to build up innings himself. Johansen has pitched at least five innings in four straight starts. He is 1-1 with a 1.21 ERA in nine starts for the Doubledays.