Congratulations to Savannah second baseman L.J. Mazzilli for being named the MMN Player of the Week for his performance from May 26 – June 1.
Mazzilli has been on a torrid streak as he is currently on an 11-game hit streak, batting .465, with 10 runs scored, four home runs, nine RBI’s, and seven multi-hit games in that span. He also may owe his recent success to Yogi Berra, who recently gave Mazzilli’s father, Lee, some solid advice for the infield prospect, when he said “If you see it, hit it. If you don’t see it, don’t hit it.” Even if it wasn’t actually those exact words that got L.J. on track, I am sure he wouldn’t mind giving some credit to Yogi.
In 2013 with Brooklyn, Mazzilli batted .278/.329/.381, with 24 runs scored, 12 doubles, two triples, four home runs, 34 RBI’s, and 22 walks in 273 at bats. Through June 1 of this season, he is already batting .293/.368/.439, with 31 runs scored, seven doubles, two triples, six home runs, 35 RBI’s, and 25 walks in 198 at bats. L.J. looks to be very comfortable with Savannah as he continues to put up the best numbers so far of his brief minor league career.
When I spoke with Mazzilli recently, he told me what he felt was the appropriate preparation to attack the next level in Savannah, “I think being able to stay consistent offensively and defensively and more important mentally (not getting too up or too down), and finding an edge each and everyday to bring the best out of yourself no matter how you feel.”
With great baseball minds in his corner and a very good handle on how he needed to approach the season, L.J. is definitely on his way and that is evident with the way he has played in May and now in June, and he doesn’t look to be slowing down.
May 26 – June 1: .524 (11 for 21), 3 R, Doubles, Triple, HR, 3 RBI’s, 2 BB
Honorable Mentions:
Jeff McNeil, 3B – Savannah Sand Gnats
Two weeks ago, McNeil was awarded with our player of the week award and after a slow week where he saw his 14-game hit streak come to an end, he picked it up once again and has been on another hot streak in the last week. He matched his teammate, Mazzilli, with 11 hits and also batted .524. McNeil is another reason why the defending Champs, are 37-16 and six games up in first.
May 26 – June 1: .524, (11 for 21), 4 R, 3 Doubles, 7 RBI, 2 BB
Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF – Las Vegas 51s
If Nieuwenhuis could somehow swing the bat with the big club, the same way he has in Vegas, he may never be sent down again. He ended the past week on a ten-game hitting streak, batting .357 (15 for 42), with three doubles, two triples, three home runs, and eight RBI’s in that span. Kirk could be key left-handed hitter off the bench for the Mets, as long as when he gets the call again, his bat doesn’t cool off.
May 26 – June 1: .355 (11 for 31), 5 R, 3 Doubles, Triple, 3 HR, 7 RBI
Jairo Perez, 3B – St. Lucie Mets
Perez has been as consistent as anyone else in the St. Lucie lineup and now that the top of the order has slumped a bit in the past week, Perez has given the team a jolt with his hot bat. Coming into Mondays game he has ten-game hit streak, batting .514 (19 for 37), with five runs, a double, triple, home run, and 10 RBI’s. The Venezuela native, who was out of pro ball in 2013, looks to continue to make his comeback a success.
May 26 – June 1: .522 (12 for 23), 3 R, 1 Triple, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 1 BB
(Photo Credit: Fred Devyatkin)
