San Diego Padres: Friars On Base Players Of The Week Awards (8/13-8/19)

In a new Monday morning series, Friars on Base is handing out San Diego Padres Player of the Week awards.

Maybe this wasn’t the best week to start this new series. The San Diego Padres off today (Monday) after completing a 1-6 week, dropping series to the Los Angeles Angels and Arizona Diamondbacks. Their lone win came on Saturday, a 7-6 victory, secured with a walk-off hit from rookie Christian Villanueva.

The bats have cooled off for Freddy Galvis and Austin Hedges, over the past few days, after a hot stretch of performances to begin the month of August. Rookie arms are taking their first big league lumps on the mound, however, Padres games are still intriguing as fans get to see a wave of players showcase whether or not they belong on the 2019 roster.

Instead of focusing on the negative, depressing overall play, let’s hand out our first San Diego Padres Players of the Week awards to the top hitter and top pitcher for the week of August 13-19.

San Diego Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer.

We have been largely silent on Eric Hosmer this season and there is a good reason for that. He’s been doing just ok. Everyone at the ballpark knows exactly what Hosmer is going to produce. It’s not flashy and it’s going to be something on the ground but it’s been decent production throughout the season.

Hosmer played in all seven games this past week, posting a team-high batting average of .360 (9-25) with three doubles and two home runs. He stole one of the just five stolen bases the Padres produced the entire week.

Of his two home runs last week ended with a beer shower out in left field, in case you missed it.

Relief pitcher Matt Strahm

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There are fewer pitchers, currently on the 25-man roster, who are more intriguing than Matt Strahm. Strahm faced just 13 batters this week but limited opponents to just two hits and one free pass, while striking out six.

He’s been used out of the pen as he continues to build up strength and innings, after returning from a knee injury. A number of fans seemed divided as to whether or not Strahm should be used as a starter or reliever in 2019, but no one seems divided on the effectiveness of Strahm’s 2018 season.

Across 46 innings, Strahm has recorded 50 strikeouts, a 0.96 WHIP, and 2.12 ERA. Other than Kirby Yates and Craig Stammen, Strahm is one of the only other pitchers who doesn’t bring a sense of uncertainty with him to the mound. When Strahm comes into a ball game, it’s a safe bet that crisis will be averted.

The San Diego Padres are off today before beginning a six-game road stretch this week with three against Colorado Rockies and three against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The playoffs may be out of the picture but the Padres can still play spoiler and have a hand in deciding who runs away with the National League West crown.