Cruz named AL Player of the Week

ARLINGTON, Texas - Have yourself a day, Nelson Cruz. And a week. Cruz has been named the American League's Player of the Week after batting .476 (10-for-21) with three doubles, four home runs, eight RBIs, five runs scored and four walks in seven games. Cruz led all major league hitters in slugging percentage (1.190) and was second overall with 25 total bases. Among his AL counterparts, Cruz was tied for second in batting average and homers and was third in RBIs and on-base percentage (.556). This is Cruz's second AL Player of the Week honor. He also won it for the week ending May 23, 2010 while playing for the Rangers. Earlier today, Major League Baseball released its latest round of America League All-Star Game balloting and Cruz moved ahead of Boston's David Ortiz for first place among designated hitters. Could Cruz also be named the league's Player of the Month? He batted .339/.388/.748 with eight doubles, 13 homers and 27 RBIs in 30 games in May. Toronto's Edwin Encarnacion batted .281/.369/.763 with five doubles, one triple, 16 homers and 33 RBIs in 30 games. Down on the farm, Single-A Frederick shortstop Adrian Marin, 20, has been named the Carolina League's Player of the Week after batting .429 (9-for-21) with one home run, 11 RBIs, seven doubles and a run scored in six games.