Mark Reynolds Named Player of the Week

Major League Baseball announced that Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Mark Reynolds has been named National League Player of the Week for the week ending April 24. Considering how the week started that is quite an accomplishment.

Reynolds began the week with a paltry .182 batting average and seemed to be struggling at the plate. Despite being mired in a slump Reynolds felt confident things would turn around and turn around they did.

In the subsequent six games against the formidable pitching staffs of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies Reynolds went 8-for-19 for a .421 batting average. He also drove in a Major League best 11 runs with three home runs.

Reynolds has always been a streaky hitter going from ice cold to white hot in just a matter of a few at-bats. The power boost from Reynolds could not have come at a better time for the Diamondbacks.

They entered the week struggling on their first road trip dropping five of six games to the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres. They were set to host perhaps the two best teams in the National League for six games.

Despite his offensive heroics, his election to player of the week was far from a lock. An argument could be made that Reynolds was not even the best player on his team that week.

Second baseman Kelly Johnson had a great week as well going 9-for-24 for a .375 batting average. Johnson had 7 home runs and 25 runs batted in.

These two player’s results are a big reason why the Diamondbacks finished the home stand 3-3 with a series win against the defending National League champions. Diamondbacks fans everywhere are hoping Johnson and Reynolds continue to push each other and lead the team upward in the NL West standings.