There are good weeks, and then there are Yordan Alvarez weeks.
The Houston Astros designated hitter was named American League Player of the Week on Monday for the second time this season after another stretch that looked less like a hot streak and more like sustained dominance.
Across six games against the Pirates and Athletics, Alvarez went 10-for-21 with two home runs—including a grand slam—nine RBIs, five walks, and only one strikeout in 26 plate appearances.
The stat line almost feels incomplete at first glance. Nine RBIs draw attention. One strikeout keeps your eyes there.
Alvarez enters the week leading all qualified major-league hitters in OPS at 1.081 and slugging percentage at .650. He is tied for the MLB lead in on-base percentage at .431 and leads the American League with 22 home runs and 48 RBIs.
Tuesday also marked the seventh anniversary of Alvarez’s major league debut. Before the game, the Astros shared a social media post commemorating June 9, 2019—the day Houston’s designated hitter began what has become one of the most productive starts to a career in franchise history.
What makes his run more remarkable is how routine it has started to feel. This is Alvarez’s second American League Player of the Week honor this season after also winning on April 6. He was previously named American League Player of the Month for the combined March/April period and has appeared in all but one of Houston’s 67 games.
The awards are starting to feel routine. The performance required to keep earning them is anything but.
Heading to Daikin Park soon? Check the Astros promotions schedule before your next game.
Photo: thatlostdog / Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
