Mercedes, Hosmer named Players of Week

White Sox designated hitter Yermín Mercedes and Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer have been named the 2021 season’s first Players of the Week presented by Chevrolet.

A 28-year-old with nearly 2,400 career plate appearances in the Minors, Mercedes made Chicago’s roster out of Spring Training and emerged from relative anonymity with his historic start to the season.

Mercedes became the first player in the modern era (dating back to 1900) to begin a season with hits in his first eight at-bats, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. He finished the week 9-for-14 (.643) with a homer, two doubles, six RBIs and a 1.643 OPS in three games, winning the American League Player of the Week Award for his efforts.

White Sox players claimed two of the 10 AL Player of the Week Awards that were handed out last season, with Jose Abreu and Lucas Giolito each winning once.

Hosmer, meanwhile, earned Player of the Week honors for the first time in the NL and the second time in his career. The veteran first baseman went 7-for-11 (.636) with two homers, two doubles, six RBIs and a 2.030 OPS in three games to start 2021.

The Padres had three of the 10 NL Player of the Week Award winners in 2020, as Fernando Tatis Jr. won once and Manny Machado won twice.