Logan Forsythe of the Tampa Bay Rays named American League Player of the Week

Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Logan Forsythe has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending September 6th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.

Forsythe batted .545 (12-for-22) with five runs scored, five doubles, a triple and two walks over six games to earn his first career AL weekly honor, and the first for a Rays position player this season. Logan paced the Majors in batting average and doubles, and among AL leaders for the period, the University of Arkansas product finished first in on-base percentage (.583), second in hits, tied for fifth in total bases (19) and sixth in slugging percentage (.864).

During the three-game series at Baltimore from August 31st-September 2nd, the Memphis, Tennessee native went 9-for-10 with four doubles, a triple and two walks, while reaching base in 11 of 12 plate appearances. His nine hits equaled the club record for a three-game series, tying Brendan Harris (2007 vs. Texas Rangers) and Carl Crawford (2005 at Texas). His four doubles were the most by a Rays player in a three-game series since James Loney logged four from September 24-26, 2013, while visiting the New York Yankees. In Wednesday night's final game against Baltimore, Forsythe reached base a career-high five times, tied for the most by a Ray this season (third time, last: Steven Souza, Jr. on June 15th vs. Washington Nationals). Moreover, in the second inning of Friday night's away tilt against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Forsythe singled to reach base safely in nine-straight plate appearances, tying Melvin Upton, Jr.'s club record (September 11-12, 2011). From August 30th-September 6th, the five-year-veteran recorded a seasonhigh seven game hitting streak, his longest streak as a member of the Rays and one shy of his career-long (August 24-September 4, 2012) with the San Diego Padres. It has been a breakout campaign for the 46th overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft (by San Diego), who has established career-highs in hits (137), doubles (28), home runs (15), RBI (54), stolen bases (9) and games played (133). An important cog of Tampa Bay's offense this season, Forsythe ranks among team leaders in hits (T-1st), RBI (2nd), home runs (T-2nd), doubles (1st), extra-base hits (45, T-2nd) and multi-hit games (35, 1st).

Other noteworthy performances last week included Logan Morrison (.467, 5 R, 3 HR, 10 RBI) of the Seattle Mariners; Jackie Bradley, Jr. (.476, 9 R, 4 2B, 6 RBI) of the Boston Red Sox; Baltimore's Chris Davis (.348, 5 HR, 8 RBI, 1.043 SLG); and Dallas Keuchel (2-0, 2.40 ERA, 15.0 IP, 20 SO) and Jed Lowrie (.455, 7 R, 3 HR, 7 RBI) of the Houston Astros.

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