Paul Goldschmidt, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. named Players of the Week presented by Chevrolet

Steven Kwan Makes Diving Catch to Claim Play of the Week

June 21st, 2022

All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt of the St. Louis Cardinals has been chosen the National League Player of the Week presented by Chevrolet, and fellow All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays has been named the American League Player of the Week presented by Chevrolet. The announcements were made earlier today on MLB Network.

Goldschmidt earned his fourth career Player of the Week Award, most recently winning in July 2019, and is St. Louis’ second winner this season, following his All-Star teammate Nolan Arenado for the period ending April 10th. Guerrero Jr. similarly claimed his fourth career Player of the Week Award, last accomplishing the feat in June 2021, and is Toronto’s first recipient since his All-Star teammate George Springer last October. In addition, both Goldschmidt and Guerrero Jr. are currently leading their positions in the first Chevrolet MLB All-Star Balloting update, which was annoucned earlier today.

Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals

  • Batted .467 (14-for-30) with seven runs scored, three doubles, four home runs, 11 RBI, three walks and a .967 slugging percentage over seven games played.
  • The 34-year-old recorded three home runs and eight RBI across both games of last Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Pirates. Became the first Cardinals player with eight RBI in a single day since the memorable game by Fernando Tatis in April 1999 in which he hit two grand slams in the same inning.
  • The six-time All-Star led the Cardinals to three victories across two days from June 13th-14th. Became the first player to post at least nine hits, nine RBI, six runs, five extra-base hits and four home runs without striking out over a two-day span since Hall of Famer Ty Cobb in May 1925.
  • The four-time Silver Slugger Award winner tallied at least one hit in all seven games played, including four multi-hit efforts.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays (@vladdyjr27)

  • Posted a slash line of .407/.500/.778 with seven runs scored, 11 hits, a double, three home runs and seven RBI over seven games.
  • Last year’s All-Star Game MVP launched home runs in consecutive games from June 12th-13th, the third time this year he accomplished the feat and the 13th time in his career.
  • Vlad Jr. registered his third career four-hit game on Wednesday against the Orioles. Also notched his first career walk-off RBI with an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th frame.
  • The 23-year-old clubbed his team-leading 17th round-tripper of the season in Sunday’s win over the Yankees. His eight homers in the month of June are tied with Byron Buxton, Anthony Rizzo and Mike Trout for the Major League lead.

Other noteworthy AL performances for the week included outfielder Luis Robert (.423, 5 R, 11 H, 8 RBI) of the Chicago White Sox; All-Star outfielder Mike Trout (5 R, 7 H, 5 HR, 9 RBI) of the Los Angeles Angels; first baseman Ryan Mountcastle (.367, 3 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI) of the Baltimore Orioles; starting pitcher Nick Pivetta (2-0, 1.20 ERA, 15.0 IP, 13 SO) of the Boston Red Sox; All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo (.412, 7 H, 3 HR, 7 RBI) of the New York Yankees; and closer Emmanuel Clase (4 G, 4 SV, 0.00 ERA, 0 BB) of the Cleveland Guardians.

Other noteworthy NL performances last week included All-Star infielders Jake Cronenworth (.552, 8 R, 16 H, 6 2B) and Manny Machado (.370, 7 R, 10 H, 9 RBI), and first baseman Luke Voit (.333, 6 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI) of the San Diego Padres; first baseman Rhys Hoskins (.400, 12 H, 6 XBH, 8 RBI) and All-Star starting pitcher Aaron Nola (2 GS, 15.0 IP, 14 SO, 1 BB) of the Philadelphia Phillies; first baseman C.J. Cron (.360, 6 R, 3 HR, 10 RBI) and All-Star outfielder Charlie Blackmon (.423, 6 R, 11 H, 6 BRI) of the Colorado Rockies; and All-Star starter Sandy Alcantara (1-0, 2.30 ERA, 15.2 IP, 13 SO) of the Miami Marlins.

Electric Play of the Week presented by Chevrolet

Diving Catch by Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians

June 15th at COL – Watch It Here

Rookie outfielder Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians earned his first career Play of the Week Award and is Cleveland’s first winner since his teammate Oscar Mercado in September 2019. In the bottom of the seventh inning with the Guardians leading by one run and runners on first and third, Kwan sprinted to deep left field to make a diving catch and preserve Cleveland’s lead. Additional Play of the Week candidates included Martín Maldonado’s diving catch behind home plate; Brandon Nimmo’s diving catch in left-center field; Trevor Story’s jump-throw after fielding a ground ball up the middle; and rookie Jerar Encarnacion’s throw from right field to nab the runner at second.