Philadelphia Phillies Weekly Awards: April 9th to April 15th

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After finishing last week on a high note, the Phillies recorded just two wins in six games this week.

There were plenty of contributors to both the wins…and the loses. The Phillies bats went cold as only one player finished the week with an over .300 batting average making MVPP as an easy decision. However, some strong performances from the starters made for quite a tough choice for MVP.

Let’s take a look at the best and worst players from April 9th to April 15th.

All statistics referenced in the following thanks to MLB.com

Most Valuable Position Player: Runner-Up

Maikel Franco

This was a difficult decision this week as very few players lived up to actual expectations. However, Franco had an excellent week in the power department.

Although going just 5 for 21, the young righty blasted two home runs and drove in seven runs. This week brings Franco’s batting average up to just .195 on the season, but at least it’s a move in the right direction.

Most Valuable Pitcher: Runner Up

Jerad Eickhoff

It seems as if there may be a pattern developing here. Eickhoff, last week’s MVP, had another solid start once again this week.

Eickhoff went seven strong innings allowing just one earned run and striking out seven. The 26-year-old’s earned run average now sits at 1.98 on the season while his WHIP comes in at an impressive .095.

Hector Neris could have also earned the runner-up position thanks to his five strikeouts over just 4.1 innings pitched. Keep an eye out for him later in the month.

Apr 9, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jeanmar Gomez (46) reacts after allowing a game-tying three run home run against the Washington Nationals in the top of the ninth inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Nationals, 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Least Valuable Position Player: Runner Up

Freddy Galvis

A terrible week puts Galvis in the LVPP race. The switch-hitting shortstop went 3 for 21 this week with no extra-base hits to his credit.

With J.P. Crawford struggling through his first ten games in Triple-A, Galvis is safe for now, but a .143 is not going to do well for a player’s confidence.

Least Valuable Pitcher: Runner Up

Jeanmar Gomez

Gomez has had a poor start to the year and this week was no different. The former closer was mashed for six hits and five earned runs in just 3.1 innings.

It’s starting to seem as if 2016 was just a flash in the pan making it a little more disheartening that the righty wasn’t dealt at last year’s deadline.

Least Valuable Position Player

Cameron Rupp

Rupp is off to a horrid start. The 28-year-old backstop hit just .083 on the week recording just one hit.

I’d normally say Rupp should be concerned with Jorge Alfaro putting pressure on him from the minors but, at this point, he may need to be more concerned with Andrew Knapp playing himself into the starter’s role in the future.

This is Rupp’s first LVPP award this season.

Least Valuable Pitcher

Clay Buchholz

This one just didn’t work out for Matt Klentak. Buchholz was supposed to be a bounce-back candidate this season but has not and likely will not live up to the expectation.

Buchholz gave up eight hits, and six earned runs over 2.1 innings pitched. To add injury to insult, Buchholz suffered a partial right forearm tear in his last start likely ending his season.

It seems like the Clay Buchholz is over after just two starts.

This is Buchholz’ first LVP award this season.

Apr 15, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jeremy Hellickson throws to the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Valuable Position Player

Cesar Hernandez

Hernandez had a nice week. His .370 batting average led the team(by over .120 points), and his five RBIs ranked second behind Maikel Franco.

The 26-year-old from Venezuela is now hitting .313 on the season. Surprisingly enough, Hernandez is also tied for the team lead in home runs with two.

This is Hernandez’s first MVPP award of the season.

Most Valuable Pitcher

Jeremy Hellickson

Hellickson or Eickhoff?

This seems like it will be the question all season. The nod goes to Hellickson this week as he gave up just five hits, two walks, and two earned runs over twelve innings.

Hellickson’s ERA now sits 1.59 on the season, and it seems as if the Phillies’ ace could be on track to have an impressive second season in red pinstripes.

As it stands, Hellickson is the only pitcher on the staff with more than one win.

This is Hellickson’s first MVP award this season.

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Philadelphia Phillies Weekly Awards: April 9-April 15