Brett Hayes Named Pacific Coast League Hitter of the Week
Published on August 26, 2013 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
ROUND ROCK, Texas - Brett Hayes of the Omaha Storm Chasers and Taijuan Walker of the Tacoma Rainiers have been named Pacific Coast League Player and Pitcher of the Week for the week of August 19th - 25th, the league office announced today.
Hayes paced the PCL with an incredible six home runs and 26 total bases during the week. He amassed all six home runs in four games against the New Orleans Zephyrs, hitting at least one blast in each game. On Wednesday, Hayes went 2-for-3 with two long balls and three RBI, and on Thursday, smashed two more homers including a walk-off solo shot in the 10th inning. The right-handed hitting catcher has five of the six multi-home-run games Omaha has this season, and became the first Storm Chaser to total six home runs in a series since Craig Brazell accomplished the feat in 2007 against Oklahoma City. Hayes batted .381 for the week with eight hits, eight RBI and an OPS of 1.673.
Hayes, from Pasadena, California, was selected in the second round of the 2005 draft by the Florida Marlins out the University of Nevada-Reno. He made his Major League debut on May 22, 2009 as a member of the Marlins. Hayes was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals in November of 2012. In 75 games for the Storm Chasers this season, he is batting .242 with 43 RBI and 17 home runs. His 17 home runs are both a team-high and career-high.
Walker pitched masterfully last week and earned wins in both of his starts. On Tuesday against Colorado Springs, he tossed five innings of shutout ball to go along with six strikeouts, and on Sunday at Tucson, he pitched six innings only giving up one run while striking out nine Padres. The 21-year-old's 15 strikeouts were good for the most in the league.
Walker, from Shreveport, Louisiana, was drafted in the in 1st round in 2010 by the Seattle Mariners out of Yucaipa High School in Yucaipa, California. The right-hander went 4-7 with a 2.46 ERA in 14 starts with the Jacksonville Suns in the Double-A Southern League earlier this season before being promoted to Triple-A. In 11 starts with Tacoma, Walker has gone 5-3 with a 3.61 ERA. He is rated as the Mariners number two prospect by Baseball America.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 26, 2013
- Rogers, Jensen Clip Redbirds 1-0 - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Redbirds Blanked in New Orleans, 1-0 - Memphis Redbirds
- Storm Chasers Offense Stifled by Negrin - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Efren Navarro Named to 2013 All-PCL Team - Salt Lake Bees
- RedHawks vs. Sounds - Game Notes - August 26, 2013 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Hayes and Walker Named PCL Player and Pitcher of the Week - PCL1
- Johnny Hellweg Named To All-PCL Team - Nashville Sounds
- Taijuan Walker Named PCL Pitcher of the Week - Tacoma Rainiers
- Brett Hayes Named Pacific Coast League Hitter of the Week - Omaha Storm Chasers
- George Springer Maintains Lead for Joe Bauman Home Run Award - Oklahoma City Comets
- Flynn, Hatcher Earn All-PCL Honors - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Bees to Host "Bee Healthy Week" during Final Homestand - Salt Lake Bees
- Round Rock Express Announces 2014 Home Schedule - Round Rock Express
- Rookie Owings Lands on 2013 All-PCL Team - Reno Aces
- 2013 All-Pacific Coast League Team - PCL1
- Brock Peterson Named To All-PCL Team - Memphis Redbirds
- Surkamp Goes Deep, Grizzlies Avoid Sweep - Fresno Grizzlies
- Walker, Tacoma Shut Down Padres - Tucson Padres
- Rainiers Topple Tucson, 6-4 - Tacoma Rainiers
- Topes Muted in Finale against Sounds - Albuquerque Isotopes
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
