With first month of the MLB season almost in the books, we are already seeing early contenders for all end of the year awards, as well as teams setting the pace for a nice September run into the playoffs. Now I know it’s still early and nothing is settled in April, but every game is just as important from the first to the last and these early games can be the difference for any divisional race or award you might win. With that being said, here are this week’s MLB standout player’s of the week.
Standouts – Pujols and Tulowitzki
Just like last week’s player of the week Carlos Beltran, Los Angeles Angles first baseman Albert Pujols is showing that age doesn’t matter and his play to start this season and this week is looking like his MVP self from a few years ago. Now we all know he’s on the downside of his career and his first two years in an Angles uniform hasn’t been stellar, but the start of this year does show some promise that Pujols can still put up some numbers and at least not leave his name out of MVP consideration. And to top that, Pujols is just two home runs away from joining the exclusive 500 home run club and almost solidify him as a hall of famer. With that being said, Pujols week was just as good as any with a .360 batting average, .429 OBP, .760 SLG, 1.189 OPS, and has added three home runs and seven RBI and is this week’s AL standout player of the week.
While Albert Pujols is in rare form in the AL, Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has continued his hot start this year with a dominating performance this week at the plate. Though the Rockies are .500 ballclub, one can say Tulowitzki is doing everything he can to help the Rockies win some games and if he keeps this pace up, look for the three time all-star to not only make his fourth appearance, but most definitely be in the MVP hunt when it’s all said and done. Troy Tulowitzki’s numbers were simply amazing with a .500 batting average, .621 OBP, .818 SLG, 1.439 OPS, 1 home run and six RBI, and five of his 11 hits were extra base hits. Therefore, Troy Tulowitzki is this week’s NL standout player of the week.
Surprise – Rajai Davis
Albert Pujols and Troy Tulowitzki did their part by earning standout players of the week Detroit Tigers outfielder Rajai Davis has been a nice surprise for the Tigers who simply brought him in to platoon the left field with Andy Dirks. However, Dirks is shut down until May at the earliest by electing on March 10th to have surgery on his back (sports injury alert story) and that paved the way for Davis to step up big and he has. Davis has put together a nice start to the season for a Detroit Tigers team that has a lot more question marks coming into this season then in the past couple and his play should solidify himself as the starter as this season progresses. We all know Davis is a threat when getting on base and that has already shown with six stolen bases, but his work at the plate has been even a bigger surprise with a .298 batting average, .382 OBP, .362 SLG, .744 OPS and has added one home run and five RBI for mainly batting in the bottom of the lineup. I look forward for Davis to continue this play and for the Detroit Tigers to stay at the top of the AL central when it’s all said and done.
Disappointment – Robinson Cano
While Rajai Davis has been having a nice start to this season, Seattle Mariners second basemen Robinson Cano performance has been downright brutal for a man who just signed a 10-year $240 million contract. The Seattle Mariners have been the bottom feeders of the AL West for quite some time and their hopes was for Cano to be the leading factor to help them get off the bottom and into contention and so far his numbers have not been the case. Though Seattle is off to an alright start and still should be consider a sleeper team, Cano needs to step up if he wants the Mariners be that surprise team to take a playoff spot. So far this season, Cano has comprised a .268 batting average, .331 OPS, .352 SLG, .673 OPS, and has only one home run and eight RBI. If the Mariners want to be in contention, their star second baseman needs to start stepping or its back to the bottom for them.
Standout players of the week Albert Pujols and Troy Tulowitzki have shined this week and Rajai Davis has been a nice surprise, Robinson Cano’s play is just another reason why players shouldn’t get 10-year big money deals anymore. However, I still believe Cano can turn it around and I just hope for the Mariners sake he does because his start to this season just smells like another big contract bust.
For more on sports injuries, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on Twitter – @jrob857. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Interested in writing for LWOS? We are looking for enthusiastic, talented writers to join our writing team. Visit our “Write for Us” page for very easy details in how you can get started today!
“You like baseball? Get involved! Check out LWOS Partners Bases Loaded EU for fantastic podcasts, news and a growing message board community of baseball fans like you!”
Main Photo:
