Carlos Beltran of the New York Yankees named American League Player of the Week

New York Yankees outfielder Carlos Beltran has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending April 13th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

Beltran batted .423 (11-for-26) with four doubles, three home runs, six RBI and seven runs scored over seven games to claim his fourth career A.L. Player of the Week and his 10th weekly honor overall, last winning while with the St. Louis Cardinals on May 14, 2012. Among A.L. leaders for the period, the switch-hitting Beltran was first in total bases (24) and slugging percentage (.923), tied for first in hits and doubles, second in batting average and tied for second in homers and runs scored.

On Wednesday, the 36-year-old went 3-for-3 with a double, a solo homer, an RBI and two runs scored in a 5-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium. The second-inning homer was Carlos' first as a Yankee. On Saturday, the Puerto Rico native teamed with a trio of Yankee newcomers as the 17-year-veteran doubled, homered, drove in two runs and scored twice as the Bronx Bombers defeated the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox, 7-4. Following a Jacoby Ellsbury single in the first inning, Carlos opened up the scoring as the former second-round draft pick (by Kansas City in 1995) lofted a two-run shot to right to plate Ellsbury and put New York up 2-0 in the eventual triumph. Beltran's homer was one of five Yankee blasts on the afternoon, joining Brian McCann (2), Kelly Johnson and Alfonso Soriano. On Sunday night, the 1999 A.L. Rookie of the Year factored in on all three Yankee runs as Beltran homered, drove in two and scored a run to guide the Yankees to a 3-2 victory, taking three-of-four from the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Beltran's two-run shot in the third inning gave him homers in consecutive games for the first time since May 28-29, 2013 while with the Cardinals. Also worth noting, the eight-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove-winning outfielder made his first career appearance at any infield position when Beltran moved from his starting right field spot to first base in the top of the fifth inning after Francisco Cervelli was removed from the game due to injury.

Other noteworthy performances last week included Jose Abreu (.250, 4 HR, 8 RBI, 5 R), Adam Eaton (.385, 10 H, 3 2B, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 10 R), and Alexei Ramirez (.393, 2 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 7 R) of the Chicago White Sox; Jason Kubel (.364, 8 H, .440 OBP) of the Minnesota Twins; Josh Donaldson (.321, 3 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 6 R) of the Oakland Athletics; and C.J. Wilson (2-0, 1.80 ERA, 15.0 IP, 4 BB, 16 SO) of the Los Angeles Angels.

In recognition of his American League Player of the Week Award, Carlos Beltran will be awarded a watch courtesy of Game Time, the leader in licensed sports watches, available at MLB.com.