Isaac Paredes Named AL Player of the Week

The Tampa Bay Rays Isaac Paredes was named the AL Player of the Week, and it is hard to argue anyone else was even close to his play.

Over the last week, Paredes slashed .579/.619/1.474 with 5 HR, 9 RBI, and 28 TB over the 7 day period. For a team battling many injuries to their lineup, this was a huge boost that was much needed.

Paredes was an under the radar acquisition for the Rays coming into 2022. The team traded OF Austin Meadows to the Detroit Tigers and received Paredes and a competitive balance round B pick. Meadows a big part of the Rays lineup in 2021, and Paredes, while only 23, seemed like an underwhelming return for the outfielder.

Paredes stared the season a bit slow but this insane week his put him in an elite spot among those with a minimum of 100 PA.

For a club that has been in a bit of a tailspin the last month, the energy that this run brought to the lineup could boost the rest of the team as it heads into the month of July. The contagious energy could be seen after his walk off on Saturday.

It goes without saying that this hot week cannot be sustained for the Rays infielder, but if Parades can build off of this insane week and begin to hit at a higher level more consistently, the club would have another reliable bat in the lineup as it seeks to overcome its offensive woes.