Philadelphia Phillies Weekly Awards: May 28th-June 3rd

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Jun 3, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ben Lively (49) is doused with ice by first baseman Tommy Joseph (19) after a victory against the San Francisco Giants in his first MLB start at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

The Phillies continued to play poorly in late May and early June but some key players appear to be rounding back into form.

The Phillies once again posted a losing week winning just one of six contests. There were some bright spots, however, as a new pitcher made their “debut” onto our awards list.

Let’s take a look at the award winners from May 28th-June 3rd.

Most Valuable Position Player: Runner Up

Maikel Franco

Franco has had a tough 2017 so far, however, he put together a nice week last week.

The young third baseman went 6 for 19 on the week, leading the team with a .319 batting average. Franco still showed very little in the power department with just one extra base hit to his credit.

Hopefully, June is the month where Franco finally breaks out of his funk.

Most Valuable Pitcher: Runner Up

Luis Garcia

Garcia was a bright spot in the pen last week. Garcia tossed 5.2 scoreless innings while punching out six batters and allowing just two hits.

Least Valuable Position Player: Runner Up

Tommy Joseph

Joseph was hot in early/mid May but began to struggle last week. The power hitting righty hit just .150 on the week while striking out seven times.

At this point in time, it is unclear what Tommy Joseph really is but what is clear is that if Joseph has another month like April, he could find himself out of the lineup by July.

Least Valuable Pitcher: Runner Up

Ricardo Pinto

Pinto was lit up over two innings of work. The 23-year-oldrighty surrended six hits, three walks and four earned runs while striking out two.

Apr 5, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Jerad Eickhoff (48) against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Least Valuable Position Player

Michael Saunders

Saunders hit just .158 on the week with no home runs and just one double. Saunders has yet to awe as the Phillies every day right fielder and is now hitting just .217 on the year.

Saunders trade value has taken a sharp decline. He’s never been a high average guy but he has shown that the power he showed in 2016 was just a flash in the pan.

Least Valuable Pitcher

Jerad Eickhoff

I am a firm believer that something is medically wrong with Eickhoff. Eickhoff was atrocious last week giving up five runs(four earned) in just 2.2 innings while walking five. Eickhoff has had a terrible stretch of late and is in need of a good start this week to turn it around.

Jun 3, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ben Lively (49) fields a ground ball for an out in past catcher Andrew Knapp (34) during the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Valuable Position Player

Howie Kendrick

Kendrick came off the disabled list and immediately made and impact. The veteran utility man hit .300 on the week with a home run. Kendrick looked healthy and even managed to steal a base, showing that his oblique injury is fully healed.

Kendrick will likely be an everyday starter now that he is back and hopefully he can help jumpstart the top of a struggling lineup.

Most Valuable Pitcher

Ben Lively

The brightest moment of last week was thanks to Lively. Lively made his major league debut in grand fashion tossing seven innings of one run ball. The 6’4″ righty, acquired by the Phils in the Marlon Byrd deal, scattered just four hits in those seven innings.

Next: Phillies Opposition Roadblock: Atlanta Braves

Lively will be in search of his first major league strikeout his next time out.

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