PITCHER OF THE WEEK – VINCENT VELASQUEZ, RHP, LANCASTER
Velasquez shut out the High Desert Mavericks over six innings, striking out 11. Ranked my MLB.com as the #8 prospect in the Astros’ talent-rich system, Velasquez has bounced back from a groin injury that kept him out of action for two months. Over 46 innings pitched for Lancaster, Velasquez has a 6-2 record with a low ERA of 2.54.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK – SHERMAN JOHNSON, 2B, INLAND EMPIRE
Johnson batted .652/.750/1.087 for the week, going 15-for-23 over six games. The 2012 14th-round draft pick had at least two hits in all six games, including three games with three hits. He also hit his 12th triple of the season, extending his Cal League lead over RC’s Robbie Garvey, who has nine.