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Each week I select someone as the Cleveland Indians' top player of the previous week. Then, because this is a dictatorship, but not a totalitarian one, I let you all have your say as well. Some weeks it's a no-brainer, while other weeks there are multiple guys with a strong case. (Occasionally there are weeks when no one has a strong case.)
Previous winners:
- April 6-12: Carlos Santana (my choice, and by a single vote, winner of the voting)
- April 13-19: Corey Kluber
- April 20-26: Brandon Moss (my choice), Michael Brantley (reader vote)
- April 27-May 3: Jason Kipnis (with 91% of the vote)
- May 4-10: Danny Salazar (my choice), Jason Kipnis (reader vote)
- May 11-17: Corey Kluber (my choice, and by a single vote, winner of the voting)
- May 18-24: Corey Kluber
- May 25-31: Jason Kipnis
- June 1-7: Brandon Moss
- June 8-14: Shaun Marcum
- June 15-21: Jason Kipnis
- June 22-28: Roberto Perez
- June 29-July 5: Carlos Carrasco (my choice), Cody Anderson (reader vote)
- July 6-12: Carlos Santana
- July 13-19: Michael Brantley
- July 20-26: Michael Brantley
- July 27-August 2: Lonnie Chisenhall
- August 3-9: Michael Brantley (my choice), Abraham Almonte (reader vote)
- August 10-16: Francisco Lindor
- August 17-23: Lonnie Chisenhall
- August 24-30: Francisco Lindor
- August 31-September 6: Cody Anderson (my choice), Josh Tomlin (reader vote)
- September 7-13: Francisco Lindor
- September 14-20: Francisco Lindor
The Indians finally got themselves above .500 for the first time since they were 2-1, only to fall back to level with a dispiriting performance on Sunday. The Tribe was led by a trio of players who each spent a couple months in Triple-A this season, along with a pitcher who has been a compelling argument that he should be considered at least co-ace of the rotation.
The Candidates
Cody Anderson
Anderson started Thursday's game in Minnesota. He went 6.2 innings, allowing only one run. That's somewhat remarkable, given that he allowed ten hits, but eight them were singles, he didn't walk anyone, and he got some help from the defense.
Carlos Carrasco
If you only get one appearance all week, you might as well make the most of it. Carrasco pitched a one-hit shutout Friday night in Kansas City, striking out a career high 15 Royals in the process. His game score for the night was 98, which is tied (with Kluber's 18-strikeout performance in May) as the highest of the season for the American League.
Francisco Lindor
Lindor hit .375/.407/.542 in 27 plate appearances last week, with a wRC+ of 157, as he continued to solidify his case for deserving the AL ROY Award. He reached base safely in all six of the team's games, with a total of nine hits and two walks. He had three hits in Thursday's victory, and had a single, double, stolen base, and two RBI in Saturday's win.
Jose Ramirez
Ramirez hit .364/.417/.682 in 24 plate appearances last week, with a wRC+ of 200. He filled in for Giovanny Urshela and started all six games at third base, providing some support for the idea that he can handle the position. He homered on Friday, but Saturday was his big game, as he singled, doubled, and tripled, coming around to score a run all three times.
The Verdict
Jose Ramirez was the team's top offensive player last week, which is not something one expects to see. I would love to reward him for that with his first Player of the Week honor, but Carrasco was simply too good. The only possible argument against Cookie would be that the Royals sat many of their starters Friday night because they'd clinched the division the day before, but watching that game, I think Carrasco would have been dominant no matter what lineup he was facing. On a per-inning basis, Carrasco has been the Tribe's best pitcher this season, and one of the top five in the American League.
Congratulations, Carlos!