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Harrisburg Senators Weekly Update: Michael Taylor crushing

Each week, Geoff Morrow, Harrisburg Senators beat writer for the PennLive.com and Patriot-News sports, updates us on the goings on down on the farm with the Washington Nationals' Double-A affiliate. This week a look at Michael Taylor and the organization as a whole.

By Geoff Morrow
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

[ed. note - "The following was originally posted on PennLive.com and is reprinted here with permission of the author."]

HARRISBURG SENATORS PLAYER OF THE WEEK (May 12-18)

Senators manager Brian Daubach has seen Michael Taylor pop some jaw-dropping homers before, even a bunch in a short stretch.

But what the 23-year-old from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., is up to thus far in his first taste of Double-A is downright impressive.

"He's had it off and on, but he's really kept what's going on now for a couple of weeks. There's a lot in there..." - Senators manager Brian Daubach on Michael Taylor

Taylor, the team's leadoff hitter and center fielder, is again our Player of the Week after last week's seven-game stretch in which he amassed a slash line of .346/.452/.654 with six runs, two doubles, two homers, four RBIs, five walks and three steals.

At 6-3, 210, Taylor isn't your prototypical bulky power hitter. But he's cranked some shots this year, perhaps none more impressive than his seemingly flick-of-the-wrist, protect-the-plate homer in Saturday's doubleheader sweep of New Britain.

"Everyone knows he's leading the [Eastern League] in strikeouts [54], but he's really working hard on putting the ball in play," Daubach said. "That was a two-strike swing, and when Michael hits them, they go.

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"Most of his home runs have come in spurts the last couple of years. He made some parks look small that aren't small. You watch him take [batting practice] every day, it's in there. He's had it off and on, but he's really kept what's going on now for a couple of weeks. There's a lot in there, and he's just scratching the surface."

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 Photo © Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports

Check out Taylor's numbers for the season, and remember, he's hit leadoff in 34 of his 38 games this year: .285 batting average, .369 on-base percentage, .569 slugging percentage (second in EL), 24 runs (first on team), seven doubles, one triple, 10 home runs (first in EL), 30 RBIs (third in EL, first on team), 17 walks (tied for first on team), nine stolen bases (first on team).

Add to all of this his airport terminal range in center field, and the Nationals have themselves a serious prospect.

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