For the second time in three weeks, Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor has been named the American League Player of the Week presented by W.B. Mason for the period ending August 5th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.
Odor batted .304 (7-for-23) with eight runs scored, a double, four home runs, 10 RBI and six walks over six games played to earn his second AL Player of the Week Award this season (also July 22nd), and the fourth of his career. Among qualified AL leaders, Rougned finished the week tied for first in runs scored, home runs and RBI; tied for third in extra-base hits (5); tied for fourth in walks and total bases (20); and fifth in slugging percentage (.870). This is Texas' second weekly award of the 2018 season, following his previous honor two weeks ago.
In Thursday night's home tilt against the Baltimore Orioles at Globe Life Park, Odor reached base in all six of his plate appearances, going 1-for-1 with three runs scored, five walks, a home run and three RBI. Following the performance, the Venezuelan native became just the fourth player in Major League history to log five walks and one home run in a single contest, joining Hall of Famer Hank Aaron (July 11, 1972), as well as All-Stars Edgar Martinez (June 24, 2004) and Mark McGwire (April 26, 1997). Additionally, the 24-year-old became the first player to accomplish the feat without receiving an intentional walk and also doing so in a nine-inning game. Odor, who signed with Texas in January 2011, was the only player to also notch three runs scored and three RBI during the contest. Rougned followed up his historic outing by clubbing a home run in each of his next two games, leading the Rangers to a 3-0 record during his torrid stretch. The three-game home run streak capped off a seven-game stretch in which the slugging second baseman clubbed six round-trippers, dating back to his multi-homer effort on July 28th.
Other noteworthy performances last week included All-Star first baseman José Abreu (.478, 8 R, 3 2B, 3 HR) of the Chicago White Sox; outfielder Mallex Smith (.625, 4 R, 10 H, 5 SB) of the Tampa Bay Rays; All-Star teammates Corey Kluber (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 CG SHO, 7 SO) and José Ramírez (.455, 5 XBH, 8 RBI, 3 SB) of the Cleveland Indians; starters Trevor Cahill (2-0, 1.50 ERA, 12.0 IP, 16 SO) and Edwin Jackson (2-0, 0.00 ERA, 12.0 IP, 8 SO) of the Oakland Athletics; first baseman/outfielder Steve Pearce (.308, 4 R, 4 HR, 8 RBI) of the Boston Red Sox; All-Star designated hitter Nelson Cruz (4 R, 7 H, 4 HR, 10 RBI) of the Seattle Mariners; and second baseman Whit Merrifield (.478, 5 R, 11 H, 2 HR, 3 SB) of the Kansas City Royals.
In recognition of his American League Player of the Week Award, Rougned Odor will be awarded a watch courtesy of Rockwell.