Potomac's Destin Hood showcases newfound power with two homers

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Maybe it was Brian Peacock's bat. Maybe it was the slight breeze at Pfitzner Stadium. Maybe it was the early start time. Or maybe Destin Hood has found something in his swing. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris spoke about it last week, that Hood is close to getting that leverage that would make him an every day power hitter. "I think that the work (I have put in) has a lot to do with it," Hood said. "I am just trying to trust myself. I am not trying to do too much. I just stay within myself, basically." Tuesday, Hood crushed two home runs off fastballs in his first two at-bats in Salem's 7-4 win over the Potomac Nationals. Hood now has 11 homers on the season, becoming only the sixth P-Nats' player to hit two homers in one game this year. The 11 round trippers for Hood in 105 games surpasses the 10 homers he hit in his previous three professional seasons combined. Noticeable during the game, though, was Hood favoring his knee during plays in the outfield. Manager Matt Lecroy said Hood banged up his knee last week at Myrtle Beach. He said the knee was scraped up pretty good, but would not make him miss any time. Lecroy said that is a good thing Hood will stay on the field, because they need to keep his wheels healthy, that is where Hood is generating power. "He is starting to use his legs more. He learned his swing last year," LeCroy said. "Hood has gotten into a good rhythm here. You saw that today, he incorporated his legs. He has got power. He is showing more consistency. Now that he is using his legs, the power is going to be there." Hood's teammate, catcher Peacock, made sure the media knew that Hood was using his bat today. Peacock may have to order some more bats if Hood keeps hitting like this.