Gerrit Cole, off to a scintillating start to his 2023 season, was named the American League Player of the Week on Monday.
The right-hander made two starts in the past week, combing to go 16.0 innings while allowing just two earned runs on seven hits with 13 strikeouts and three walks.
Cole allowed just two earned in 7.0 innings against the Cleveland Guardians on April 11, but then outdid that start by tossing a two-hit shutout against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday afternoon. Cole struck out 10 Minnesota hitters, consistently painting with his fastball to turn in one of his most dominant starts in a Yankees uniform.
While these last two starts are what earned him Player of the Week honors, Cole also has a strong chance to take home AL Pitcher of the Month as well. While he still likely has two more starts lined up for April, Cole has been outstanding in each of his four starts so far this season. Over 28.1 innings, Cole has allowed just three eared runs on 13 hits, striking out 32 hitters with eight walks. He has not allowed more that two earned runs in any of his starts.
Meanwhile, Arizona’s Zac Gallen took home the NL Player of the Week award after posting 13.2 scoreless innings in his last two starts.