Stevenson on hit streak to begin season for P-Nats

Center fielder Andrew Stevenson went 2-for-5 with a three-run triple in high Single-A Potomac's 9-6 loss to Lynchburg Monday night.

The LSU product is leading off the P-Nats and doing a nice job of starting the offense. His on-base percentage is .381 through the first two weeks of the season.

Stevenson told me before the season began that they haven't made any major changes to his swing or approach, just trying to get him to feel relaxed at the plate.

"Right now just trying to see the ball and hit the ball," Stevenson said. "I'm not saying I'm working on this or that, just kind of getting that feel back at the plate. But I'm doing a few things a little bit different than college. My hands are a little bit adjusted. Right now it's just feeling comfortable in the box and doing what I have to do to help the team win."

Stevenson is slashing .297/.381/.432 and riding a nine-game hit streak to begin the season for the P-Nats. He also has four stolen bases, has struck out just six times and has walked five times in 37 at-bats.

Stevenson got to work in spring training with an impressive list of young outfielders who are demonstrating the improving depth in the Nationals system.

Victor Robles, Blake Perkins, Rafael Bautista, Rhett Wiseman and Agustin Telmito were with Stevenson on the early camp roster.

"We got a great group of guys out there," Stevenson said. "Each one kind of does their own thing differently. But saying that, we are all pretty good ballplayers, and it was definitely fun being out there competing and playing with those guys. It was cool."

The Nationals let him go and get into a groove offensively during spring workouts. But as described in my talks with Nationals outfield coordinator Gary Thurman, the Nationals did focus in on Stevenson's defense and getting more on his throws and accuracy from his outfield post.

"They tried to get a little more air under the ball whenever I'm throwing it," Stevenson said. "It was translating well through spring training. We'll see how it carries throughout the season."

Wiseman and Stevenson came from top-rated SEC baseball clubs in Vanderbilt and LSU, so it was natural for them to have a lot in common with eacb other during camp workouts.

"I would say me and Rhett, we hit it off the most," Stevenson said. "We were roommates, too, throughout spring training. We kind of have similar paths."

During winter training, Stevenson headed back to Baton Rouge, La., and trained with his former collegiate teammates.

"(LSU baseball coach) Paul Mainieri is big on just letting the former players go and use the facilities at a certain time," Stevenson said. "I would get with a few guys, we'd go hit every day, do outfield stuff, lift weights and run."

Stevenson said he didn't really come from a baseball playing family, but his older brother Will Stevenson played linebacker for Louisiana-Lafayette.

"My older brother played college football and my Dad didn't really play baseball, so I kind of set my own path. My grandfather played a good bit, and my youngest brother, he's big into baseball."

The P-Nats are home tonight and tomorrow morning against Lynchburg. They will return home next on April 26.

* Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs shortstop Trea Turner is scorching the ball again in the minor leagues, just like he did to start last season.

He's been so good that he has been named the International League's Batter of the Week for April 11-17.

From the team release:

"Last week, Turner lived up to his MLB.com ranking as one of the game's top prospects, batting .433 and leading the International League with 13 hits and 19 total bases. Turner went 4-for-4 with a double and an RBI in a 4-3 win over Buffalo Tuesday, then reeled off back-to-back three-hit games later in the week against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

"Saturday's tilt included his first longball of the season to go along with three runs scored. So far on the young season, Turner is near the top of the IL in several offensive categories. He's currently second in the league in hits, on-base percentage, stolen bases and runs scored, while he's fourth overall in hitting with a .424 average."