Awards for the Week

Midwest League Offensive Player of the Week:
Manuel Rodriguez, Lansing
.483 (14-29), 5 R, 5 2B, 0 3B, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 1 BB, 5 SO, 0 SB, .892 SLG

Midwest League Pitcher of the Week:
Daniel Guttierez, Burlington
0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 11.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 13 SO

The pitcher of the week surprised me a bit when I didn't see Craig Italiano's name. He did pitch the first six innings of a no-hitter for Kane County. But, it is hard to argue with the selection of Guttierez.

And how about an ex-Rattler picking up the Southern League Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Thomas Hubbard, West Tenn
.370 (10-27), 6 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 13 RBI, 1 BB, 4 SO, 0 SB, .926 SLG

Hubbard has started just seven games thus far, but he earns the SL's top spot by making each plate appearance count. Take, for example, Friday, when a rain-shortened game saw the Diamond Jaxx play just five innings of baseball. In two plate appearances, Hubbard hit a sacrifice fly and the go-ahead home run, driving in each of West Tenn's three runs. The homer marked his third straight game clearing the bases. Strikeouts were Hubbard's bugaboo with West Tenn in 2007, so it's a good sign the slugger has just four after eight games.

Just call him Marshall.

For the complete list of players of the week, head over here.