ND in the MLB: Week Two Report

A.J. Pollock - OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Week Two Stats: .086 (2-27), 3 R, 1 3b, 5 Ks, 1 BB

2017 Stats: .196 (BA)/.226 (OBP)/.353 (SLG), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 2b, 1 3b, 7 R, 1 SB

After starting off decently in week one, Pollock fell off drastically in week two. He went just 2-27 and reached base safely a mere three times. Despite his troubles with the bat, Pollock still brought it with the glove. He made a handful of nifty catches, including the one above that robbed the Dodgers’ Corey Seager of extra bases on Sunday. Pollock will look to turn it around this week as they finish up their road trip in L.A. and San Diego and then return home to take on the Dodgers in the desert.

Jeff Samardzija - SP, San Francisco Giants

John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Week Two Stats: 2 GS, 13.2 IP, 13 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 12 Ks, W-L: 0-2

2017 Stats: 0-3, 6.16 ERA, 19 IP, 21 H, 13 ER, 6 BB, 24 Ks, BAA .280

Despite going 0-2 on the week, Samardzija threw the ball exceptionally better in week two than he did in week one. On Tuesday he threw six and two thirds innings against the D-Backs, scattering five hits and three runs. He also struck up seven batters and walked four. On Sunday against the Colorado Rockies, he threw seven strong innings, but surrendered four earned, while walking zero and striking out eight. He threw the ball well enough in both outings to get the victory, but fell short. The Shark is among the league leaders in lowest run support, as the Giants score around just two runs when he starts. Due to a few off days, Samardzija is not scheduled to start until next Sunday when he’ll get another shot at the Rockies, this time at Coors Field.

David Phelps - RP, Miami Marlins

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Week Two Stats: 4 G, 4 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 Ks, W-L: 1-0

2017 Stats: 2-1, 5.63 ERA, 8 IP, 13 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 10 Ks, .361 BAA

Phelps had two blown saves this past week, both opportunities against the Mets. After blowing the save on Sunday, he was able to pick up the W, as the Marlins walked off New York in the ninth to win 4-2. Despite the high ERA, Phelps has thrown the ball well this season. Most of the damage against him came all the way back on Opening Day when he gave up three earned to the Washington Nationals. The one thing to like about Phelps is that he’s not going to walk too many guys. So far he only has one walk in eight innings, to go along with 10 strikeouts. Last year he walked just 38 in 86.2 innings of work, and struck out 114. If Phelps continues to throw the ball well, look for the Marlins to keep going to him in late innings.

Trey Mancini - 3B/1B/OF, Baltimore Orioles

Week Two Stats: .338 (7-18), 5 R, 2 2b, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 2 BB, 5 Ks

2017 Stats: .364/.417/.955, 4 HR, 9 RBI, 1 2b, 2 BB, 6 Ks,

Even though he had a limited number of at bats, Mancini was still able to have a monster week. The rookie slugged four homers and knocked in nine RBIs, helping the O’s to 4-2 record on the week. Mancini has now hit seven homers in his first 12 MLB games, joining Trevor Story (2016) and Dino Restelli (1949) as the only players to do so. He’s definitely warranting more playing time. He’s been platooning in right field with Seth Smith and occasionally spelling Chris Davis at first, but if he continues to rake the way he has been he might just grab that right field spot full-time.

John Axford - RP, Oakland Athletics

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Week Two Stats: N/A

2017 Stats: N/A

Axford was placed on the 10 day disabled list with a shoulder injury on Thursday. He doesn’t expect to miss that much time, as he’s expect to only miss about a week’s worth of time.

Craig Counsell - Mgr., Milwaukee Brewers

David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Week Two Stats: 5-1

2017 Stats: 7-6

Counsell’s club nearly had a perfect week as they went 5-1. They swept the Blue Jays up in Toronto, then took two out of three in a weekend series in Cincinnati. The Brewers will finish off their road trip this week against the Cubs. Then they’ll return home on Thursday for a four game set with the St. Louis Cardinals.