Prospect Hood's "outstanding" play garners All-Star nod

Single-A Potomac Nationals outfielder Destin Hood has been named to the Carolina League All-Star team that will face the California League All-Stars on June 21 in Modesto, Calif. He is the only P-Nats player this season to garner such an honor. Hood has had a very consistent season at the plate, batting .276, including 13 hits in his last 10 games. Five times in that span, the Mobile, Ala., native, has had multi-hit games. Potomac Nationals hitting coach Mark Harris said, "For Hood to be leading the league in doubles and near the top in walks, that is a pretty outstanding season for him so far." Hood has hit 20 doubles, three triples, four homers and 34 RBIs in 61 games. He has hit consistently on the road and at home (.279 to .273). It is the second straight season the 21-year old has been selected to play in an All-Star game. Hood was also named to the South Atlantic League All-Star Game in 2010. Harris said the key to Hood's success this season is his mental approach to each day. When Hood struggles at the plate, he can quickly go back to a day where everything worked and repeat those tendencies. "The good thing about Hoodie is he is learning to make adjustments from game to game," Harris said. "He had a couple of nights where he had some pretty tough nights and then bounces back with some good at-bats (on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). He got back to what he does best." This is a very good development for Hood in the Nationals' system, as the franchise searches for outfield prospects above low Single-A Hagerstown. Alongside teammate Eury Perez (.295), the Nationals continue to look to build depth in the outfield at Potomac to go with prospects like Bryce Harper, Randolph Oduber, Michael Taylor and Wade Moore.