MLB Team of the Week: Mike Trout, Daniel Murphy and Nick Castellanos Star
Anything can happen in seven days. Stars can shine (hello, Mike Trout) and lesser-known names can emerge (hi, Adam Conley).
That's the beauty of Team of the Week. Yes, it leans inherently on small samples. But small samples are fun; just ask the playoffs.
In case you're new to the party: We're picking one player per position, including a designated hitter and starting pitcher, based on what they accomplished between April 29 and May 5.
This is mostly about individual output, but bonus points are awarded if gaudy numbers translated to ticks in the win column.
As ever, feel free to chime in with your own picks in the comments, tap off your metaphorical cleats and proceed when ready.
Catcher: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
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In an era with precious few dominant catchers, Buster Posey squats tall.
The San Francisco Giants backstop proved once again why he's in a league of his own, going 11-for-19 with a home run and four doubles, good for a 1.572 OPS.
Yes, he's been ceding some starts to backup Trevor Brown in an effort to save his legs.
"The plan really all year with Buster, probably, is to give him a few more breaks than what I've given in the past," manager Bruce Bochy said, per John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Fair enough, and Posey can play first base to keep his bat in the lineup. When he's behind the dish, though, there's no one in his class.
Honorable Mention: J.T. Realmuto (MIA): 9-for-22, 4 2B, 2 RBI
First Base: Chris Carter, Milwaukee Brewers
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The Milwaukee Brewers aren't going anywhere this season in the top-heavy National League Central.
Balls, on the other hand, are indeed going places when they meet Chris Carter's bat.
Carter launched five home runs this week for the Crew to go along with a 1.182 OPS and seven RBI.
"I think his at-bats have been really good all year," Brewers skipper Craig Counsell said, per Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "It's pretty clear how he impacts a baseball when he hits it."
Honorable Mention: Jose Abreu (CWS): 9-for-24, 2B, 3B, HR, 9 RBI
Second Base: Daniel Murphy, Washington Nationals
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Earning the praise of teammates is always nice. Getting it from the reigning National League MVP has to feel especially gratifying.
That's the enviable position Daniel Murphy found himself in after continuing his scalding ways with the Washington Nationals.
"To be able to stay consistent like that, really just drive the ball wherever he hits it, it's just tremendous," NL MVP Bryce Harper said of Murphy, per James Wagner of the Washington Post. "The preparation he has day in and day out, in the cage, on the field, staying with his routine, it's something you want every teammate of yours to have, and he’s got it."
This week, Murphy went 12-for-29 with three doubles, two home runs and eight RBI and helped his new club maintain its hold on first place in the NL East over his old employer, the New York Mets.
As long as he keeps Harper in his corner, he's doing something right.
Honorable Mention: Jose Altuve (HOU): 9-for-27, 3 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI
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Third Base: Nick Castellanos, Detroit Tigers
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Nick Castellanos has gotten off to a scalding start in 2016. And the 24-year-old perpetuated the trend this week, going 12-for-22 with three home runs and 11 RBI.
There are reasons to believe a backslide is looming, including his low walk rate and unsustainably high batting average on balls in play.
For now, however, he's raking, plain and simple.
"I would just say the biggest thing that has changed has been my comfort level, being familiar with all the pitchers and stadiums and situations," Castellanos said, per Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal. "I feel way more relaxed. I feel like I'm not trying to do too much."
Honorable Mention: Nolan Arenado (COL): 9-for-27, 3 HR, 8 RBI
Shortstop: Trevor Story, Colorado Rockies
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Trevor Story added another compelling chapter to his debut season this week, going 10-for-29 with a double, a triple, two home runs and nine RBI.
It's still too early to say if his power binge is sustainable. But fresh off NL Rookie of the Month honors for April, Story teased the ability to keep the long balls coming.
And lest you think this is some Coors Field-aided phenomenon, Story did all his damage in Arizona, San Diego and San Francisco as the Rockies went 5-2.
Honorable Mention: Alcides Escobar (KC): 10-for-24, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 3 SB
Left Field: Justin Upton, Detroit Tigers
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After slogging through a slump early in his Tigers tenure, Justin Upton is showing signs of life.
This week, the 28-year-old three-time All-Star—who inked a six-year, $132.75 million deal with Detroit this winter—went 11-for-25 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI.
"I'm swinging the bat better, but it's a long season, though," Upton said, per Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press. "You’re going to hit hot streaks, you’re going to have some cold times."
With nine figures invested, the Tigers surely hope the hot outweighs the cold.
Honorable Mention: Jayson Werth (WSH): 8-for-25, 3 HR, 9 RBI
Center Field: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
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It's reasonable to ask whether the Los Angeles Angels are wasting Mike Trout.
After a 2-4 week, the Halos sit at 13-15, four games out in the American League West. That puts them in the mix, technically.
But with questions in the starting rotation, holes in the lineup and a barren farm system, they're less than a safe bet to make the postseason, let alone contend for a title.
That's all out of the Team of the Week scope, however. We're zeroing in on Trout, still arguably the best player in the game, and what he accomplished.
Specifically, that would be 10 hits in 26 at-bats to go along with two doubles, a triple, two home runs and nine RBI.
Enjoy it, Angels fans, even if it's not leading your team anywhere special.
Honorable Mention: Kevin Pillar (TOR): 10-for-26, 5 2B, HR, 3 RBI
Right Field: Matt Kemp, San Diego Padres
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Matt Kemp has teased comebacks before. And he did drive in 100 runs for the San Diego Padres last season, so we're not talking about a washed-up scrub here, even if he is several seasons removed from his glory days with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
This week, Kemp flashed vintage form, banging out nine hits in 27 at-bats, including three doubles and a pair of home runs to go along with seven RBI.
If he keeps it up and the Pads slide out of contention, the 31-year-old slugger could find himself on the trading block come July.
For now, he and San Diego can rejoice in a little turn-back-the-clock action.
Honorable Mention: Giancarlo Stanton (MIA): 6-for-17, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI
Pitcher: Adam Conley, Miami Marlins
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If you didn't know who Adam Conley was before the week began, you'd be wise to learn his name now.
The 25-year-old former second-round pick twirled 13 scoreless innings over two starts against the Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks, striking out 13 while yielding two hits and five walks.
CBS Sports' R.J. Anderson broke down the left-hander's success while drawing a favorable comparison to one of MLB's most dominant southpaws:
"Conley -- whose tall, lanky frame and arm action might cause you to think of Chris Sale -- has succeeded by prioritizing his low-to-mid-90s fastball. He entered Thursday night having thrown his heater nearly 70 percent of the time. The rest of the time he has thrown almost an equal amount of changeups and sliders -- and, believe it or not, that equality extends to batters of both hands.
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The Marlins went 6-1 this week, and they appear determined to hang around the edges of the NL East race. More of the same from Conley would be a significant boost.
Honorable Mention: Steven Matz (NYM): 13.2 IP, 0 ER, 8 H, 3 BB, 12 SO
Designated Hitter: Victor Martinez, Detroit Tigers
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The third Tiger on this Team of the Week, Victor Martinez earned his stripes with 12 hits in 25 at-bats, including four doubles, a home run and three RBI.
Injuries slowed him last season and lingered into the spring, but the 37-year-old V-Mart is apparently healthy and ready to resume his bashing ways.
"Since 2014, no question," manager Brad Ausmus said when asked about the last time Martinez looked this good, per ESPN.com's Katie Strang.
That's welcome news for a Detroit team that's counting on its veteran core to atone for 2015's last-place finish in the AL Central and motor the franchise back to the postseason.
Honorable Mention: David Ortiz (BOS): 9-for-23, 3 HR, 7 RBI
All statistics current as of May 5 and courtesy of MLB.com unless otherwise noted.
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