After opening the second half of the season going 7-for-11 (.636) with a double, three homers, three walks and four runs scored, Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon was named the National League Player of the Week on Monday. Major League Baseball made the announcement on MLB Network.
Rendon hit safely in all three games following the All-Star break and moreover, he reached base safely in 10 of his 14 plate appearances from Friday through Sunday. On July 15 at Cincinnati, Rendon went 3-for-3 with two homers, six RBI, two walks and two runs scored in Washington's 10-7 win. It was his third multi-home run game of the season, including his second career grand slam in the seventh inning. According to theElias Sports Bureau, coupled with his 10 RBI vs. NYM on April 30, no other player has more than one six-RBI game in 2017.
This is the first Player of the Week award for Rendon and third given to a Nationals player this season. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman (April 24-30) and right fielder Bryce Harper (April 17-23) have also garnered Player of the Week honors so far in 2017.
Rendon's award adds to the haul brought in by Zimmerman (April 24-30, 2017; July 16-22, 2012; Aug. 15-21, 2011; July 30-Aug. 5, 2007), Harper (May 4-10, 2015, May 11-17, 2015, Sept. 14-20, 2015; April 11-17, 2016; & April 17-23, 2017), Danny Espinosa (June 27-July 3, 2016), Max Scherzer (June 15-21 & Sept. 28-Oct. 4, 2015), Stephen Strasburg (Sept. 14-20, 2015 & June 7-13, 2010), Jordan Zimmermann (Sept. 22-28, 2014; June 2-8, 2014), Adam LaRoche (Sept. 1-7, 2014), Jayson Werth (June 30-July 6, 2014), Josh Willingham (July 27-Aug. 2, 2009), Cristian Guzman (Aug. 25-31, 2008), and Nick Johnson (May 31-June 6, 2005) as other Nationals honorees.