Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria named NL Player of the Week
MIAMI -- Miami Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria earned National League Player of the Week, MLB announced Monday.
Over six games, Hechavarria hit .500 (12 for 24) with eight runs, one double, one triple, one homer and 10 RBI. During this stretch, he collected four multi-hit and three multi-RBI games. He is riding a nine-game hit streak.
"First and foremost I want to thank God for this great honor and also for making m the big leaguer I am today," Hechavarria said via a translator. "It's a great honor to be a professional baseball player. I'll thank him for it. I'm just going to keep working hard and be the best player I can be."
After opening the season 1 for 22 (.045), Hechavarria has boosted his average to .333. He leads all major-league shortstops in hits (24), runs (15) and RBI. He ranks third in average and sixth in on-base percentage.
Last season, Hechavarria bumped his average 49 points in his second full big-league season thanks to an up-the-middle and opposite-field swing. He continues to navigate the difficult eighth spot in the order with the pitcher on deck.
"Last year I had a consistent year, but this year I'm going to work harder on staying focused and being more consistent with my approach," Hechavarria said. "I know every day I'm not going to go out there and get two hits. There are going to be days when I go 0 for 5, but I'm going to work hard on bouncing back from those days and have success the following day."
This marks the first time in his four-year career that Hechavarria has received the honor.
New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira was named American League Player of the Week.
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