Columbus INF/OF Russ Canzler named Indians' Minor League Player of the Week

CLEVELAND -- The Cleveland Indians today announced that Columbus INF/OF RUSS CANZLER has been named the Indians Minor League Player of the Week for June 17-24. The Indians Player of the Week award recognizes an individual performance from within the Indians Player Development System and will be announced each Tuesday through the end of the Minor League Baseball season. All players from the Tribe's minor league affiliates are eligible for the weekly award.

Canzler, 26, hit .348 (8-23) with a double, 2 HR and 7 RBI throughout the week, while posting a 1.116 OPS (.464 on-base pct, .652 slugging pct.).  He recorded 3 multi-hit games throughout the week, including June 19 at Charlotte where Canzler went 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored, HR and 3 RBI in Columbus’s 13-2 win. For the 2012 season, he is batting .274 (73-266) with 33 runs scored, 16 doubles, 2 triples, 9 home runs and 38 RBI while posting a .783 OPS (.332 on-base pct., .451 slugging pct.).

Canzler was acquired by the Indians from Tampa Bay on January 31, 2012 for cash considerations. Originally selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 30th round of the 2004 June draft (906th overall), he was granted free agency before signing with the Rays as a free agent following the 2010 season. In 2011, was named the International League MVP while with Triple-A Durham where he hit .314 (149-474) with 40 doubles, 18 HR and 83 RBI.  He was 1st in the IL in doubles (40), 1st in slugging pct. (530), T-2nd in runs (78), 2nd in on base pct. (.401), 2nd in total bases (251), 3rd in hits (149), 4th in AVG. (.314) and 5th in RBI (83).