News release from the TinCaps:
Franmil Reyes Named Midwest League Player of the Week
20-Year-Old Has 5-For-5 Day to Cap Off Explosive Week
(September 8, 2015) – TinCaps right fielder Franmil Reyes was named the Midwest League Player of the Week for the week of August 31-September 6, the league announced Tuesday. The award is selected by MiLB.com’s staff.
Reyes clobbered the baseball the last seven days, hitting .560 (14-for-25) in six games. The 20-year-old also scored eight runs, smacked four doubles and two homers, drove in eight runs and recorded a .960 slugging percentage. The exclamation mark on the week came on Labor Day against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Reyes tallied his second career five-hit game (the first at the Midwest League level) and plated five runs.
“I did some extra work in the cage before the game and for me, I just try to put the barrel on the ball and put it into play,” Reyes said. “I want to say thanks to the fans here for supporting me all the time. I don’t have my family here in Fort Wayne, but it still feels like home.”
Earlier in the week, the 6-foot-5, 245-pounder had a 4-for-4 night at the plate against the Lansing Lugnuts – which included two long balls. It was the first multi-home run game of his professional career. Reyes raised his batting average from .237 to .255 this past week.
“He’s just been grinding every at-bat,” TinCaps manager Francisco Morales said. “He’s staying behind the ball and what’s most important is that he’s swinging at strikes.”
This is Reyes’ second straight season as the TinCaps every day right fielder and has made marked improvement. The San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, native has raised his batting average (.255), on-base percentage (.320) and slugging percentage (.393) from a year ago. He’s also belted five more triples (7) driven in three more runs (62) and drawn eight more walks (46) than he did in 2014 in five less games. Reyes’ defense has also developed nicely.
The San Diego Padres signed Reyes on November 11, 2011 at the age of 16. He made his professional baseball debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2012.
Reyes leads the TinCaps into Fifth Third Ballpark on Wednesday to start the Midwest League Playoffs against the West Michigan Whitecaps. Game one of the Eastern Division Semi-Finals begins at 6:35 p.m., with game two and – if necessary – game three back at Parkview Field on Thursday and Friday. Tickets are still available online at TinCapsTickets.com, by calling 260-482-6400, or by visiting the Parkview Field Ticket Office.
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