Akron LHP Matt Packer named Player of the Week Honors

The Cleveland Indians today announced Double-A Akron LHP Matt Packer has been named the Indians Minor League Player of the Week for May 18-28.

Packer, 25, went 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA (1 ER/12.0 IP) in 2 appearances during the week. On May 18, he allowed just one earned run on 5 hits through 5.0 innings while striking out 3 vs. Erie. He followed that up with 7.0 scoreless innings and a career-high 10 punchouts in his second appearance against the Erie Seawolves on May 24. In both appearances against first-place Erie, Packer lowered his season ERA from 4.07 to 3.33. Throughout the week, Packer was 4th in the Eastern League with a 0.75 ERA, T6th in WHIP (0.92) and T8th in strikeouts (13).

The 6-0, 199-pound southpaw was originally selected by the Indians in the 32nd round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. The Germantown, TN native led the Eastern League and Indians Player Development System in innings pitched (169.1) and ranked T2nd in the Eastern League in starts (27). Packer made appearances with Carolina, Akron and Columbus last season before missing significant time with a left rotator cuff strain.