(Photo Source: Jim Rogash/Getty Images North America)
Former Portland Sea Dogs’ second baseman/outfielder Mookie Betts has been named the Player of the Week beginning Sunday, June 15th for the American League.
Over those seven games, Betts managed to collect 15 hits in 31 at-bats for a .581 batting average including three doubles, two triples and two home runs. Betts added eight runs scored, seven runs batted in and twice came within a hit of completing Boston’s second cycle in the month of June. Betts’ average now sits at a season-high .277 to go with eight home runs, 15 doubles, four triples, 33 RBIS and runs scored.
Betts beat out the likes of Toronto’s Jose Bautista, Baltimore’s Manny Machado, Detroit’s J.D Martinez and Anibal Sanchez (a former Sea Dog), Oakland’s Stephen Vogt and Tampa Bay’s Brad Boxberger to win the honors for the first time in his young career.
The Red Sox selected Betts in the fifth round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of John Overton High School in Nashville, TN where during his senior season he hit .509 with 30 stolen bases en route to Louisville Slugger High School All-American honors.
The 22-year old native of Nashville, TN started the season and played in 54 games for the Portland Sea Dogs in 2014 and looked highly impressive hitting .355/.443/.551 with 27 extra-base hits, 34 runs batted in, 56 runs scored and 22 steals while only being caught three times.
After being promoted to Pawtucket in early June, Betts did not skip a beat slashing a .335/.417/.503 line with five home runs, twelve doubles, 31 RBIs and runs scored in 45 games en route to his second consecutive Red Sox Minor League Offensive Player of the Year award.
Betts is one of five players including Blake Swihart, Travis Shaw, Rusney Castillo and Eduardo Rodriguez from Portland’s historic 2014 team to have already reached the Major Leagues.
Tickets are still available for all 2015 Sea Dogs’ home games with prices starting at just $8, so plan a trip to Hadlock Field this summer and come see the future stars of the Boston Red Sox.
