Week 9: Max Kepler

The Minnesota Twins won their last six games in a row and now have the best record in the MLB. They have a 10 game lead in the American League Central, and have a .692 win percentage compared to the .648 of team with the next best record, the Houston Astros. Leading the charge for the Twins last week was Max Kepler, their MVP at the plate. Kepler was not just the Twins' best batter; he was arguably the most valuable offensive player in baseball last week.

Kepler had 10 runs, 10 RBIs, a .571 average and 1.790 OPS. Those are some really big numbers. How big? Of all players last week, Kepler had the most runs and was tied with four other players for the most RBIs. 

Compared to players with 10 or more at bats, Kepler had the second best OPS and the third best best average. The two players with better averages, Justin Turner and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., had 15 and 10 at bats respectively. Kepler had 21.

Week 8: Byron Buxton

There's no doubt that the Minnesota Twins have had a great start to the season. They currently have the second best record in the MLB and are on top of the AL Central. It's early days, but it looks like the Twins might be real contenders if their players keep up this pace. The team's MVP of last week was also it's most improved hitter, Byron Buxton.

Buxton, had six runs, three home runs, a .269 average, and 0.999 OPS. Most mpressively, he had eleven RBIs--the most of all MLB players last week.

Of course, a grand slam always helps build the RBI count, and he hit the second of his career on May 18th.

Week 7: Kiké Hernández

I usually start off these posts with some stats that help make the case for the week's MLBoyfriend selection. However, this week's winner, Kiké Hernández, put up some pretty mediocre numbers this week. He had a measly .130 batting average and an equally unimpressive .483 OPS with just one run and three RBIs. He did hit one home run in his only good game of the week.

However, it really doesn't matter what his numbers were. Hernández clinched the MLBoyfriend title on Monday, May 6, when he posted this on his excellent Instagram account @kikehndez:

View this post on Instagram

Captain America in Endgame: “That is America’s ass” Me: Hold My Beer! #PuertoRicosAss

A post shared by Kike Hernández (@kikehndez) on May 6, 2019 at 6:19pm PDT

Needless to say, the gays definitely noticed and heartily approved. His "bend and snap" even got the ultimate seal of approval from Elle Woods herself.

He hit it out of the park 😂 https://t.co/j0nnXOeZsj

— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) May 7, 2019

Week 6: Adalberto Mondesi

Good players on bad teams don't get enough love. Adalberto Mondesi is a very good player on a pretty bad team. Despite Mondesi's decent numbers, Kansas City currently had the second worst record in baseball. Headlines like this tell the story: "Mondesi heroics unable to overcome awful bullpen as Royals lose 5-4 in extras".

Mondesi put up some good stats last week batting .286 with a .998 OPS six runs, one home run, eight RBIs and three stolen bases. Speaking of stolen bases, Mondesi has the second most so far this season with 10--just one fewer than the leader, Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox. I know the value of stolen is questionable, but they sure are one of the most fun  parts of baseball.

Oh, and Mondesi also has this going for him...

Week 5: Steven Matz

The New York Daily News ran this headline yesterday: "Steven Matz Is The Mets' Best Starter". That is saying something when the Mets pitching lineup includes Noah Syndergaard and Jacob deGrom. However, after last week, there's a very good case to be made for Matz.

On Monday, April 22, Matz got win of the week. He pitched six full inning with just three hits, two walks,and one earned run for a 1.50 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP and scoring him a quality start. This victory was especially sweet since it was over the Philadelphia Phillies who had shelled him less than a week before.

It's a bit unfair of me to use this pic since it's from Matz horrible 4/14 game,
but I have my reasons for posting it.

Matz had his second quality start and win of the week on Sunday, April 24. In 7 full innings, he gave up five hits, zero walks, and two earned runs for a 2.57 ERA and 0.71 WHIP. His win ended the Mets' losing streak against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Week 4: Eddie Rosario

You might think it was his great stats last week that brought won Eddie Rosario his second MLBoyfriend title. His numbers were definitely impressive with 8 runs, 9 RBIs, a .276 average and 1.231 OPS. As good as they are, it wasn't those stats that caught my eye.

You might think it was the fact that, just like last week's MLBoyfriend, Rosario hit 6 home runs last week. I saw two of those home runs in person last Thursday, April 19, on my first trip to Target Field this season--when, despite Rosario's best efforts, the Minnesota Twins lost to the Toronto Blue Jays. But if number of home runs was what determined my MLBoyfriend, Chistian Yelich's 8 would have won him the title for the week.

You might also think that Rosario's three homers in the Twins monster double header against the Orioles on Saturday, April 20. Minnesota hit 11 home runs in one day. The 8 home runs they hit in the second game tied the Twins record for the most home runs in a single game.

Week 3: José Altuve

I can't believe it's been almost three years since the last time I named José Altuve my MLBoyfrined. He is, after all, a very good baseball player. Plus, he has many other qualities that catch my eye when I'm considering who to pick (see picture below).

Altuve has been off to a great start this season, and he had a monster week last week. He had a .400 average, 1.527 OPS, with  8 runs, 10 RBIs and 6 home runs. To put those 6 homers in perspective, the rest of the Houston Astros roster combined hit 5 home runs--and they are a very good team.

Altuve is the first player this season to hit a home run in 5 consecutive games.