Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton has been named the American League Player of the Week for the period ending April 16th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.
Paxton compiled a 2-0 record without allowing a run over 15.0 innings to earn his first career Player of the Week Award. James struck out 17 batters, and issued just three free passes and six hits in two outstanding starts last week. Among qualified AL hurlers, Paxton finished first in innings pitched, tied for first in wins and ERA, and second in strikeouts.
In Paxton's first start of the week on Monday against the Houston Astros, the hard-throwing lefty tossed 7.0 innings of shutout ball, while striking out eight batters and walking just two. With the bullpen's help, Seattle pitchers combined for the club's first shutout of the 2017 campaign, and the sixth M's shutout in a home opener (also: 2013, 2007, 2003, 1995 and 1982). The University of Kentucky product posted another gem on Saturday night against the Texas Rangers, throwing 8.0 shutout innings with nine punchouts and just two hits allowed. Paxton, who was selected by the Mariners in the fourth round of the 2010 MLB Draft, became the 10th pitcher in the Majors since 1900 to begin the season with three consecutive starts of at least 6.0 scoreless innings. Jordan Zimmermann of the Detroit Tigers accomplished the feat last season en route to April's AL Pitcher of the Month Award. No starting pitcher in Mariners franchise history has started a season with as many scoreless innings as Paxton (21.0). James' teammate Felix Hernandez held the previous mark at 17.0 scoreless innings pitched in 2007. Entering play today, Paxton is the only qualified starting pitcher in all of Baseball who has not allowed an earned run. On the season, Seattle's ace has posted a 22:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio and has limited opponents to a .113 batting average.
Trey Mancini (.500, 4 HR, 8 RBI) of the Baltimore Orioles posted an impressive week as well. The 25-year-old rookie became just the third player in MLB history to record seven home runs in his first 12 career games, joining Trevor Story of the Colorado Rockies (2016) and Dino Restelli of the Pittsburgh Pirates (1949). Additionally, José Ramírez recorded four extra-base hits and eight RBI for the Cleveland Indians. The 24-year-old second baseman blasted two homers and tallied six RBI in Saturday's win over the Tigers. Other noteworthy performances included Houston's Jose Altuve (.529, 7 R, 3 2B, 4 SB); Aaron Hicks (4 R, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 1.083 SLG) and Michael Pineda (2-0, 1.84 ERA, 14.2 IP, 17 SO) of the New York Yankees; and Mitch Moreland (.440, 11 H, 6 2B, 4 RBI) of the Boston Red Sox.
In recognition of his American League Player of the Week Award, James Paxton will be awarded a watch courtesy of Rockwell.