One week ago today, Dodgers 2016 first-round draft pick Will Smith was named as the highly competitive California League’s Player of the Week, representing the franchise’s Advance Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. All the 22-year-old Louisville, Kentucky native and former University of Louisville Cardinals catcher did was post a week that included going 11-for-25 at the plate (.440) with three home runs, three doubles, six RBI, five walks, and four stolen bases.

Not to be outdone and equally deserving, today the Cal League named fellow Quake and Southern California native (Glendora) DJ Peters as the recipient of this week’s Cal League Player of the Week honors, to give the Dodgers Advanced Single-A affiliate their second such award in as many weeks.

All Peters did was post an equally incredible week that included going 10-for-25 (.400) with two doubles, four home runs, 11 RBIs, while scoring 10 runs and drawing six walks.

“It’s an honor and an absolute blessing being named the California League Player of the Week,” Peters said. “In this league there are a lot of great hitters and players, and for me to be pointed out and recognized from among this extremely talented group is a huge honor for my team and for me.”

Peters is the second Quakes player to be named ‘Player of the Week’ in as many weeks.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

The fact that a member of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes – under the leadership of manager Drew Saylor and his great staff – has won this prestigious honor in two consecutive weeks is not lost on the 6′- 6″ / 225-pound center fielder and Dodgers 2016 fourth-round draft pick. Nor is the source of his achievements.

“Not just one week but two weeks in a row, with Will Smith being named the Cal League Player of the Week last week. I give all the fame and glory to the man upstairs,” said a very humble Peters.

So where to from here for the Quakes star center fielder?

“With the first month of season coming to a close, we have been playing really well as a team,” Peters said. “I’m excited to see what the next month has in store for the Quakes!”

One has to believe that with the attitude and faith that DJ Peters has shown us thus far, he is going to need a very large trophy room.

Well done, young man. Well done indeed.