News

Mar 03, 2024

Austin Riley, Alex Kirilloff named Players of the Week

Thomas Harrigan Twins first baseman/outfielder Alex Kirilloff and Braves third baseman Austin Riley have been named the Players of the Week presented by Chevrolet, while Orioles third baseman Gunnar

Thomas Harrigan

Twins first baseman/outfielder Alex Kirilloff and Braves third baseman Austin Riley have been named the Players of the Week presented by Chevrolet, while Orioles third baseman Gunnar Henderson has won Play of the Week honors for the outstanding double play he started against the Rays on Saturday.

• All-time winners

This is the first Player of the Week nod for Kirilloff, who hit .345 with three homers, 10 RBIs and a 1.187 OPS over seven games last week, helping Minnesota go 5-2.

The 25-year-old Kirilloff capped off his week with a clutch knock, delivering a two-out, game-tying double in the bottom of the ninth inning against the White Sox on Sunday. The Twins went on to win, 5-4, in 12 innings.

Riley is now a three-time Player of the Week honoree after posting a .400 average, six homers, 16 RBIs and a 1.640 OPS over six games last week.

The All-Star third baseman went deep twice and drove in seven runs on Tuesday to kick off a streak of five straight games with a home run, tying a Braves record.

Henderson, meanwhile, showed off his quick reflexes and strong throwing arm in the bottom of the fifth inning Saturday at Tropicana Field, diving to snag Isaac Paredes’ hard line drive before getting to his feet and firing the ball across the diamond to double off Brandon Lowe at first base. The Orioles ended up winning that game, 6-5, en route to taking three of four from the Rays to grab a two-game lead over them for first place in the AL East.