Minnesota Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending August 13th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.
Rosario batted .444 (12-for-27) with 10 runs scored, three doubles, four home runs, nine RBI and a stolen base over seven games played to earn his first career AL Player of the Week Award. Among his AL counterparts, Eddie finished the period first in runs scored and total bases (27); tied for first in home runs and extra-base hits (7); second in slugging percentage (1.000); tied for second in RBI; tied for third in hits; fifth in batting average; and tied for fifth in doubles. This is Minnesota's second weekly award this season, following Rosario's teammate Miguel Sanó, who claimed weekly honors for the period ending April 30th.
On Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers at Target Field, the 25-year-old went 3-for-4 with two home runs and three runs scored en route to his second multi-homer game of the season. Rosario, who helped Puerto Rico reach its second consecutive Championship Game during the 2017 World Baseball Classic, blasted three home runs earlier this season as part of a four-hit day on June 13th against the Seattle Mariners. In Minnesota's 11-4 victory over the Brewers, the Twins offense tallied 14 hits and five home runs. Joined by Max Kepler's two-homer output, Rosario and his teammate became the first Twins duo to each log multiple homers in a game since August 3, 2011 against the Los Angeles Angels, when Michael Cuddyer and Delmon Young accomplished the feat. Dating back to Minnesota's August 3rd tilt against the Texas Rangers, the Guayama, Puerto Rico native has tallied at least one hit in nine-of-11 games. During his torrid stretch to start August, Rosario has posted a slash line of .390/.422/.829 with 11 runs scored, 16 hits, three doubles, five home runs and 12 RBI. Entering play today, Minnesota's fourth round selection in the 2010 MLB Draft has already established career bests in doubles (24) and home runs (16), and is on pace to post the first 20-double, 20-home run season of his career. Led in large part by Rosario's hot bat, the Twins currently trail the Los Angeles Angels by just 0.5 games for the second AL Wild Card spot, sporting a 59-57 record (.509).
All-Star designated hitter Nelson Cruz (.435, 3 2B, 4 HR, 10 RBI) also posted a strong week for the Seattle Mariners. On Thursday against the Angels at Safeco Field, Cruz clubbed a two-run homer to propel him to 90 RBI on the season. On pace for 125 RBI this season, the Dominican Republic native became the 15th player in Club history to reach the 90-RBI mark by the team's 116th contest. Other noteworthy performances last week included Eddie's teammate Brian Dozier (.382, 9 R, 13 H, 9 RBI); All-Star starting pitcher Corey Kluber (2-0, 2.25 ERA, 1 CG, 20 SO) of the Cleveland Indians; outfielder Andrew Benintendi (.455, 5 R, 3 HR, 9 RBI) of the Boston Red Sox; and last week's AL Player of the Week Award winner Tim Beckham (.414, 12 H, 8 R, 5 XBH) of the Baltimore Orioles.
In recognition of his American League Player of the Week Award, Eddie Rosario will be awarded a watch courtesy of Rockwell.