Philadelphia Phillies Weekly Awards: April 30-May 6

Apr 29, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Michael Saunders (5) loses his bat against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Michael Saunders (5) loses his bat against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
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May 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) runs towards home after hitting a three run home run against Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Vince Velasquez (28) during the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
May 6, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon (6) runs towards home after hitting a three run home run against Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Vince Velasquez (28) during the sixth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

After putting together an impressive six-game winning streak heading into last week, this week has been anything but impressive for the Phillies.

The Phillies went 1-6 on the week as the team has struggled to put anything together to start the month of May.

Run production was down a tad and the starters were hit around a little bit which gives up the opportunity to honor some relievers with the Most Valuable Pitcher awards.

That being said, let’s take a look at this week’s award winners.

All statistics referenced from MLB.com

Apr 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez (16) hits a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Cesar Hernandez (16) hits a single against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Valuable Position Player: Runner Up

Cesar Hernandez

Hernandez continued his hot start to the season. The switch-hitting second baseman posted a .375 batting average and .412 on-base percentage in 32 at bats this week.

Hernandez’s average now sits at .339 on the year and as his batting average rises, so does his trade value. It will be interesting to see what Klentak does if Hernandez continues his blistering pace.

Most Valuable Pitcher: Runner Up

Edubray Ramos

Ramos was hit around a little bit this week but ended the week without giving up a single earned run.

The 24-year-old righty threw 5.1 innings giving up seven hits while striking out five in the process. It was a tough week for the starters which opened the door for Ramos to sneak into the MVP conversation.

That coupled with the fact that someone in this Phillies bullpen went 5+ innings without surrendering a run, makes Ramos this week’s runner-up.

May 4, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) hits a single during the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis (13) hits a single during the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Least Valuable Position Player: Runner Up

Freddy Galvis

Galvis would have been LVPP this week if it wasn’t for his OBP. The veteran shortstop had just four hits in his twenty-three at bats, good for just a .174 average.

While disappointing, Galvis at least managed to get on base, accumulating six walks, good for an on-base percentage of .333 in an otherwise below-average week.

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Least Valuable Pitcher: Runner Up

Jeremy Hellickson

Hellickson has made his home on the MVP list for the last few weeks but the veteran righty was smacked around in the Windy City this week.

Hellickson surrendered six runs on eight hits in just four innings of work this week. It was by far his worst week of the season. It seems more than likely that the rough outing is just a hiccup in what has been a tremendous year so far.

Apr 29, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Michael Saunders (5) loses his bat against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Michael Saunders (5) loses his bat against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Least Valuable Position Player

Michael Saunders

Saunders is a first-time LVPP this week. The big lefty went 5 for 25 (.200) on the week with just two extra-base hits in his six games.

Saunders has been disappointing in the power department this season as his two home runs are tied for 7th on the squad.

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Least Valuable Pitcher

Nick Pivetta

It was a rough week for the rookie as his first two career starts ended in losses. The 24-year-old gave up six earned runs on eighteen hits, including four home runs, in just ten innings.

Nevertheless, Pivetta did show some upside strikeout potential as the righty struck out eleven batters in his ten innings of work.

It’s hard to get too pessimistic about a kid breaking into the big leagues for the first time. Hopefully, over time, Pivetta settles down and shows that the big lights aren’t too bright.

Apr 5, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Pat Neshek (17) against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Pat Neshek (17) against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Valuable Position Player

Cameron Rupp

Rupp has found himself in the LVPP discussion more than anything else but the veteran backstop had a tremendous week this week.  Rupp went 9 for 23(.391) on the week while stroking two doubles and two home runs in the process.

Rupp hasn’t shown much through the first month and some odd days. However, Rupp’s performance this week has jumped his batting average from .180 to .247.

Most Valuable Pitcher

Pat Neshek

It’s time to give credit where credit is due. Neshek has been phenomenal all season and this week was no different.

The sidewinder threw just two innings this week but continued his successful first month. Neshek has a 0.00 ERA in 9.2 innings pitched this season.

Next: Phillies Prospects Throw No-Hitter for Lakewood

It may not have been a flashy week or one filled with a ton of action but it is time to recognize what the Eagle-toting, World Baseball Classic Champion has done so far this season.

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