clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Indians Player of the Week (June 30-July 6): Brantley, Gomes, Kluber, or Murphy

Who was the Tribe's top player last week?

By Jason Lukehart
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports



It's time for our weekly look at the Indians' top players of the last seven days, in which one man is chosen as better than the rest. Be sure to vote for you choice in the poll included at the bottom.

Previous winners:

  • March 31-April 6: Lonnie Chisenhall
  • April 7-13: David Murphy
  • April 14-20: Michael Brantley
  • April 21-27: Corey Kluber
  • April 28-May 4: Carlos Santana
  • May 5-11: M.Brantley (editorial pick), J.Tomlin (reader vote)
  • May 12-18: David Murphy
  • May 19-25: L.Chisenhall (editorial pick), C.Kluber (reader vote)
  • May 26-June 1: T.House (editorial pick), C.Kluber (reader vote)
  • June 2-8: J.Masterson (editorial pick), L.Chisenhall (reader vote)
  • June 9-15: Michael Brantley
  • June 16-22: Carlos Santana
  • June 23-29: Josh Tomlin

    • The Candidates

    This week's nominees include three position players, but I think there's only one right answer this week, and it's the pitcher.

    Michael Brantley

    Brantley hit .360/.385/.520 in 26 plate appearances last week, good for a wRC+ of 158. He hit his 13th home run, stole his 10th base, drove in 4 runs, and scored 4 himself. He also got himself named to the All-Star team for the first time, which is excellent.

    Yan Gomes

    Gomes hit .294/.333/.647 in 18 plate appearances last week, giving him a wRC+ of 173. He had three doubles and a home run, scored four runs, and drove four of them in. The home run was a 2-run shot on Sunday that provided what proved to be the winning run.

    Corey Kluber

    In Kluber's first start of the week he gave up only 1 run in 6.2 innings (though he took the loss when the Indians were 1-hit for the second game in a row). In his second starter he gave up only 1 run again, this time in 8.1 innings, and with 10 strikeouts too. For the week his ERA was 1.20, with 15 strikeouts and only 2 walks. Sadly, he was snubbed by the American League All-Star team.

    David Murphy

    Murphy hit .357/.400/.429 in 15 plate appearances last week, for a wRC+ of 139. That's not a huge week, but he came on in the 8th inning on Wednesday, with two men on and the Tribe down a run, and singled to tie the game, then came around to score what proved to be the game winner.

    The Winner

    Brantley continued his excellent season and Gomes had a great week, but come on, this honor has to go to the Klubot.

    Kluber is one of five candidates in the Final Vote for the American League. Go to this link and vote for him 50 times a day or so.

    -

    More From Covering the Corner