Minnesota Twins: Nelson Cruz named American League player of the week

The Minnesota Twins’ designated hitter went on a tear last week and it resulted in his sixth career American League player of the week award.

Nelson Cruz has been a monster for the Minnesota Twins this season. After coming over from the Seattle Mariners in the offseason, the Twins have gotten all they could have asked for when signing the 39-year old to a one-year, $14 million deal. While there were concerns of an age-induced decline, Cruz has shattered those with his bat by hitting .284 with 26 HR and 62 RBI in 78 games this season.

Cruz’s power display reached its peak last week as he went on a rampage that helped earn his sixth career American League player of the week award. To earn the achievement, Cruz hit a scorching .414 at the plate with seven home runs and 13 RBI. Three of those home runs would come as part of his first career three-homer game against the Chicago White Sox on July 26.

The hardware is just the latest for a Twins team that currently leads the American League Central and had three All-Stars (Jorge Polanco, Jose Berrios, Jake Odorizzi), but the Twins have especially had their eyes on this award. This marks the third time the AL player of the week award has come to Minnesota this season as Odorizzi and Max Kepler were the other two Twins to accomplish the feat.

Cruz’s hot bat has helped the Twins immensely this season, but don’t expect him to defend his title this week. With the Twins starting a three-game series in Miami on Tuesday night, they’ll play by National League rules and with Cruz strictly playing as a designated hitter, he’ll ride the bench until the Twins return home on Friday against the Kansas City Royals.