Nats announce 2016 organizational Player of the Year honors

The Nationals have announced their minor league Players of the Year for 2016 and their Bob Boone Award recipient.

For the second consecutive season, 23-year-old first baseman Jose Marmolejos is the organizational offensive Player of the Year. The first baseman moved up to Double-A Harrisburg and had another outstanding campaign with 45 doubles and a .289 average over 136 games. He played 103 of those games at high Single-A Potomac.

The organizational Pitcher of the Year is 22-year-old right-hander Reynaldo Lopez, who has made a big impression all the way to the Nationals this season. He went 5-7 with a 3.21 ERA in 19 starts in the minors this season and has a very good shot at being chosen as the long man for the Nationals when they put together their 25-man playoff roster. Lopez had 126 strikeouts to only 35 walks.

The Bob Boone Award is given to the player that best "demonstrates the professionalism, leadership, loyalty, passion, selflessness, durability, determination and work ethic required to play the game the 'Washington Nationals Way.' "

This season's award goes to center fielder Rafael Bautista, who led the Eastern League with 153 hits. He also had 56 stolen bases, which tied for the top mark in all of Double-A baseball. The Nationals like the way Bautista plays the game, comes to the field ready to play every day, provides boundless energy and is an excellent role model.

The Nationals will honor these award recipients before Saturday's matchup against the Marlins.

Also prior to Saturday's game, the organization will honor 17-year-old Gulf Coast League Most Valuable Player Juan Soto. The right fielder led the league with a .361 average and continued to hit well when he was called up to short-season Single-A Auburn for a week's worth of games at the end of the season.