MLB announced its Players of the Week awards for both the American and National League on Monday afternoon.
Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki won in the National League, while third baseman Jose Ramirez, recently extended by the Cleveland Guardians, took the honor in the junior circuit.
Seiya Suzuki and @MrLapara have been unstoppable to start the year.
They are your @Chevrolet Players of the Week! pic.twitter.com/t19DEfKdCI
— MLB (@MLB) April 18, 2022
Suzuki keeps showing that he’s one of the world’s most talented hitters.
He went 7-for-17 in the last week of action, with three home runs, five runs and RBI, and a huge 1.604 OPS.
He was the most dangerous hitter in a surprisingly good Cubs lineup.
Meanwhile, Ramirez went 11-for-23 last week, with a trio of round-trippers and a whopping 11 RBI.
All those times he found Steven Kwan and company on the basepaths certainly showed in his RBI tally.
“Mr. Lapara” finished the seven-day period with a 1.432 OPS, and remains one of MLB’s very best players.
Stars Of Teams On The Verge Of Contending
Both players are actually in similar situations: both are expected to carry the offensive load for franchises on the verge of playoff contention in 2022, and both received long-term deals by their respective clubs.
They are the offensive leaders of the Cubs and Guardians, and if they keep up their excellent level of performance over the full campaign, their respective teams may have a chance to swoop in and get one of the Wild Card spots.
It’s the first of probably many Player of the Week awards for the promising Suzuki, who has four dingers and a 1.503 OPS for the season.
He is showing that he has had no problems adjusting to Major League pitching after playing the last nine seasons in Japan.
Watching him play is a pleasure.
