(Toronto) Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette was named the American League’s Most Outstanding Player of the Week.
Posted at 7:06 p.m.
During that span, Bichette posted a .500 batting average (16-for-32), with 11 runs scored, four doubles, one triple, five homers, 13 RBIs and a 1.156 slugging average. His performances helped the Blue Jays go 5-2 last week.
On Monday, before the game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Bichette said he appreciated being given the honor as the Blue Jays aspire to make the playoffs.
“It’s really cool to have a week like this, especially at this point in the year,” said Bichette, in the Blue Jays dugout at Rogers Centre. “It’s cool, but I’m going to keep pushing forward. »
Bichette had at least three hits in each of his first three games of the week. During that streak, he had 10 hits in 15 appearances at the plate, including four homers, and scored nine runs.
The outburst came amid a crucial 10-game road trip, the team’s longest this season.
The Blue Jays have won eight of those 10 games and began an eight-game home streak Monday night, including five in four days against the Rays. The Baltimore Orioles will then be at the Rogers Center on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“All the games by the end of the calendar will be very important. We need all the victories we can get,” recalled Bichette.
“We just have to keep showing up on the pitch, competing as best we can and giving it our all on the pitch. And what has to happen will happen. »
This is the first time that Bichette has received such an honor in her career. He is also the first Blue Jays color holder since pitcher Kevin Gausman on August 8 to earn such an award.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was the last Blue Jays position player to be named AHL Player of the Week on June 21.
“I think that’s the kind of player (Bichette) is, that he can be,” Blue Hays interim manager John Schneider said.
“I think he’s in a bubble right now, not missing pitches and watching pitches pass competently. His strategy is excellent, but his execution is better. »
In the National League, the honor went to first baseman Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Freeman batted .545 (12-for-22), scored seven runs and produced eight in six games. He hit two doubles and three home runs and his power average came in at 1.045.