ND in the MLB: Week Three Report

A.J. Pollock - OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Week Three Stats: .518 BA (14-27), 1 HR, 3 2b, 3 BB, 5 R, 2 SB

2017 Stats: .308 (BA)/.341 (OBP)/.463 (SLG) 2 HR, 7 RBI, 6 2b, 1 3b, 12 R, 3 SB

After having an absolutely putrid week last week, Pollock rebounded tremendously this week. He upped his averaged from .196 to .308, his OBP from .226 to .341 and also socked his second homer of the season. Not that he’s going to hit .500 every week, but look for more performances like this from Pollock. He’s a top 10 centerfielder. Pollock received his first off day of the season on Sunday. Pollock and the DBacks will host the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies this upcoming week.

Jeff Samardzija - SP, San Francisco Giants

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Week Three Stats: 1 GS, 5.1 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, W-L: 0-1

2017 Stats: 0-4, 7.40 ERA, 24.1 IP, 28 H, 20 ER, 9 BB, 30 K, BAA .292

Samardzija got torched on Sunday afternoon against the Rockies, as he surrendered seven earned in just five and a third innings of work. He’s getting batted around here early in the season. He’s not walking too many guys and is striking out more than his fair share of batters, but he’s getting knocked around the yard on a consistent basis. His early performance is very similar to what we saw from him two years ago when he pitched for the White Sox. If Samardzija can start working the ball low in the zone, he will revert back to what we saw from him last season with the Giants.

David Phelps - RP, Miami Marlins

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Week Three Stats: 2 G, 3 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 Ks, W-L: 0-1

2017 Stats: 2-2, 7.36 ERA, 11 IP, 17 H, 9 ER, 2 BB, 13 Ks, BAA .354

Phelps appeared in only two games this week for the Marlins. He got lit up in his first appearance in San Diego on Friday, giving up four earned in just two innings of work, including a three-run shot to .179 hitting Austin Hedges. Manager Don Mattingly was willing to go back to Phelps on Sunday and he worked a clean frame. It’s really been two outings that have done Phelps in this season; Opening Day against the Washington Nationals and now against the Padres on Friday. Phelps has been a reliable arm out of Miami’s bullpen for two years now, so expect him to get many more chances.

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

Week Three Stats: .117 (2/17), 1 R, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 4 Ks,

2017 Stats: .256/.293/.667, 5 HR, 11 RBIs, 6 R, 1 2b, 13 Ks, 2 BB

Mancini hit his fifth homer of the season on Saturday against the Red Sox. It was also his eight homer in just 17 career games. He joins Trevor Story and Carlos Delgado as the only players to accomplish the feat. Aside from that, it was a pretty slow week for Mancini. He’s still not seeing regular everyday at bats. This might be in an effort to try and not over expose a player who is so prone to striking out, but if Mancini keeps producing when called upon it will be hard not to keep him out of the lineup.

John Axford - RP, Oakland Athletics

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Week Three Stats: N/A

2017 Stats: N/A

Axford is still on the 10-day disabled list. He told SFGate.com that he expects to be throwing in a few days.

Craig Counsell - Mgr., Milwaukee Brewers

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Week Three Stats: 2-5

2017 Stats: 9-11

The Brewers had a chance of sweeping the Cubs earlier in the week, but the bullpen blew the last two games of the series. It didn’t get much better over the weekend as the Cardinals took three of four from the Brew Crew. Milwaukee will continue its home stand this week as they host the Reds and Braves.