The last full week of April is in the books and already this season is shaping to be memorable and probably not for the play on the field. From the wrong use of pine tar to rule changes, these incidents have almost taken away the great play we have seen on this last full week of April. With that being said, here are this week’s standout players of the week.
Standouts – Kyle Seager, Carlos Ruiz
Seattle Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager’s start to this season has been pretty dreadful start for a Mariners team that is playing well below standards and probably expectations for all the money they spent this offseason. However, Seager’s play this week given Mariners fans some hope in maybe turning things around and making a run at a wildcard spot as the season progresses. Like I said Seager’s start has not been great, .228/.330/.468, but his play this week has been downright outstanding, .409 batting average, .458 OBP, 1.091 SLG, 1.549 OPS, and has added five home runs and 11 RBI. Therefore, Kyle Seager is this week’s AL standout player of the week.
While Mariners third baseman Kyle Seager has had a bounce back week, Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz has put together an outstanding week of baseball for a Phillies team that like the Mariners is underachieving at the start of this season. While the Phillies are one game above .500, most would agree that this is not the start they expected to see out of the Phillies. Saying that, the season is still early and there is still time to possibly make a run at a wildcard spot and Ruiz has done his part this week in hopes of the Phillies in putting together some wins. Through this week, Ruiz has put up a .500 batting average, .593 OBP, .909 SLG, 1.502 OPS, and has added one home run and seven RBI and that’s why Carlos Ruiz is this week’s NL standout player of the week.
Surprisingly Disappointing – Miguel Cabrera
When you’re a reigning two-time MVP and you just signed a new 10-year deal, the one thing that you don’t want to do is start the season slow and that has happened to Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera. However, we can all give him credit that the Miguel Cabrera we all know has shown some life this week that will hopefully get him back and put up numbers that we all know he can put up and get back into the MVP race. Normally I would do a surprise and a disappointing player but Cabrera’s start to this season is both of a surprise and a disappointment because what he has accomplished since he was traded to the Detroit Tigers in 2008 and all the awards he has racked up. However, his numbers show something completely different, .259 batting average, .308 OBP, .412 SLG, .720 OPS, and added 2 home runs and 15 RBI. This brutal starts is why Cabrera’s season has been a disappointing yet surprising start to this season and for the Tigers sake this week needs to be what’s expected as the season progresses.
While Miguel Cabrera has been not himself to start this season, Kyle Seager and Carlos Ruiz proved to be the class of the week in their perspective leagues. However, I do believe we will be seeing Cabrera in a few player of the weeks post as the season progresses and proves everyone wrong about signing that new deal this off season was the right move.
For the latest in sports injury news, 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:
