Los Angeles Angels designated hitter/pitcher Shohei Ohtani has been named the American League Player of the Week presented by W.B. Mason for the period ending September 9th. The announcement was made earlier today on MLB Network.
Ohtani batted .474 (9-for-19) with eight runs scored, a double, a triple, four home runs, 10 RBI and two stolen bases across five games played to earn his second AL Player of the Week Award of his first Major League season (also April 8th). Among qualified AL leaders, Shohei finished the week first in RBI and slugging percentage (1.263); tied for first in runs scored; tied for second in triples, home runs and extra-base hits (6); tied for third in stolen bases; fourth in total bases (24); and fifth in batting average and on-base percentage (.565).
Shortly after receiving word that Tommy John surgery was recommended, the two-way star batted a perfect 4-for-4 with four runs scored, a stolen base and his second career multi-homer game on Wednesday (also August 3rd). Ohtani became just the second player in franchise history to tally four hits, four runs scored, one stolen base and a pair of home runs in a single contest, joining Leroy Stanton, who accomplished the feat on July 10, 1973. In addition, the Japanese native is the only player in the Majors this season to post multiple games with two round-trippers and a stolen base. On Friday night against the Chicago White Sox, Ohtani clubbed his 19th home run of the season, passing Kenji Johjima (2006) for the most home runs by Japanese native in their rookie season in MLB history. Following the performance, the 24-year-old homered in his third consecutive game and became the fifth Angels rookie ever to log four-or-more homers in a three-game span, joining Tim Salmon, J.T. Snow, Wally Joyner and Lee Thomas. Additionally, the outing marked the third straight game in which Ohtani logged three RBI and one walk, becoming the second player in team history to accomplish the feat (also Dave Hollins). During his historic campaign, the AL Rookie of the Year candidate is the first player in MLB history to club at least 15 home runs while notching 50 or more strikeouts on the mound in the same season.
Other noteworthy performances last week included Trout (.563, 9 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI); All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman (.476, 6 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI) of the Houston Astros; All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor (.303, 7 R, 5 HR, 7 RBI) of the Cleveland Indians; starting pitcher Yonny Chirinos (2-0, 2.70 ERA, 13.1 IP, 11 SO) and outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (.545, 8 R, 6 XBH, 6 RBI) of the surging Tampa Bay Rays; third baseman Adrián Beltré (.409, 5 R, 4 HR, 7 RBI) of the Texas Rangers; shortstop Xander Bogaerts (.500, 10 H, 4 XBH, 7 RBI) of the Boston Red Sox; and starter Jorge López of the Kansas City Royals, who took a perfect game into the ninth inning at Minnesota on Saturday night.
In recognition of his American League Player of the Week Award, Shohei Ohtani will be awarded a watch courtesy of Rockwell.