ND in the MLB: Week Four Report

A.J. Pollock - OF, Arizona Diamondbacks

Week Four Stats: .370 BA (10-27), 7 R, 1 RBI, 2 2b, 7 SB, 3 Ks,

2017 Stats: .324 (BA)/.366 (OBP)/.486 (SLG) 2 HR, 7 RBI, 9 2b, 1 3b, 10 SB, 7 BB

Pollock finished off a great first month of the season last week. He continues to be the table setter at the top of the Diamondbacks lineup. Last week he scored seven runs, and also swiped seven bags. He know leads the league in steals with 10. The DBacks finish April just a half game back of the Colorado Rockies for first place in the NL West, and Pollock has been one of the keys to Arizona’s hot start. Pollock was an all-star back in 2015 and if continues to perform the way he currently is, expect him to be in Miami come mid-July.

Jeff Samardzija - SP, San Francisco Giants

Week Four Stats: 1 GS, 7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 Ks, W-L: 0-0

2017 Stats: 0-4, 6.32 ERA, 31.1 IP, 32 H, 22 ER, 10 BB, 35 Ks, .269 BAA

Samardzija was brilliant in his only start last week. He tossed seven innings, allowing only two earned runs, walking just one and striking out seven Padres. Despite his brilliance, he was given a no decision as his teammates gave him minimal run support. Samardzija will be trying to put April behind him, but perhaps his latest start is a sign of things to come in May.

David Phelps - RP, Miami Marlins

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Week Four Stats: 3 G, 3 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 3 BB, 0 Ks, 1 HD, W-L: 0-0

2017 Stats: 2-2, 5.79 ERA, 14.0 IP, 17 H, 9 ER, 5 BB, 13 Ks, .309 BAA

If it wasn’t for those three walks, Phelps would have worked a perfect week. It was a nice bounce back week for the veteran righty. Remember last week he was lit up, giving up four earned runs in just three innings of work. Phelps needs to continue to have more weeks like this if he wants to continued to be called upon out of the Marlins bullpen.

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

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Week Four Stats: .083 BA (1-12), 1 2b, 1 RBI, 6 Ks,

2017 Stats: .216/.245/.549, 5 HR, 12 RBI, 7 R, 2 RB, 2 BB, 19 Ks

Since having a breakout week two weeks ago, Mancini has played sparingly. Right fielder Seth Smith recently was activated from the DL, so Mancini has gone back to platooning with him. Mancini is just stuck in a tough spot right now, as there really isn’t a free spot open for him. Unless there is an injury somewhere, look for Mancini to continue to play against lefties and in pinch hit opportunities.

John Axford - RP, Oakland Athletics

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Week Four Stats: N/A

2017 Stats: N/A

Axford is still on the disabled list. He has started throwing, but not off a mound. Once he starts doing that, the A’s will then schedule a rehab assignment for him.

Craig Counsell - Mgr., Milwaukee Brewers

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Week Four Stats: W-L: 4-2

2017 Stats: W-L: 13-13

With it being a rebuilding year for the Brewers, they surprised many by playing some decent ball over the season’s first month. The Brewers are just one game back of the Cubs for first place in the NL Central. There are also many storylines surround Counsell’s crew. First basemen Eric Thames had a monster month, as he crushed 11 homers, which is a Brewers record for home runs in a month. The Brewers will hit the road this week for a four game set with the Cardinals and then a weekend series with the Pirates.