Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Bowden Francis was named the American League Player of the Week on Monday for the week from August 12-18, 2024. Francis was spectacular in his two starts for the Blue Jays. In 14 innings, he only gave up one earned run for an earned run average of 0.64. In the two games, a 4-2 Blue Jays win over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, and a 1-0 Blue Jays win over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday, Francis gave up four hits and zero walks, to go along with 15 strikeouts.
Francis is the second American League pitcher this year to receive the honour of player of the week. The first was Houston Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco, who was honoured for throwing a no-hitter against the Blue Jays on April 1.
Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of Montreal, Quebec has been the American League Player of the Week twice this season. The first time from June 24 to June 30, and the second time from July 29 to August 4. From June 24-30, Guerrero Jr. batted .500 (13 hits in 26 at bats) with six runs scored, four home runs, five doubles, and 17 runs batted in. From July 29 to August 4, he batted .536 (15 hits in 28 at bats) with eight runs scored, seven doubles, three home runs, and eight runs batted in.
Two more Canadians have been honoured with American League Player of the Week honours this year. Cleveland Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor of Toronto, Ontario was honoured for the week from June 17-23, and Boston Red Sox outfielder Tyler O’Neill of Burnaby, British Columbia was honoured for the week from July 22-28. Naylor batted .400 for the week in June. He had 10 hits in 25 at bats, seven runs scored, three doubles, three home runs and eight runs batted in. O’Neill batted .360 with nine hits in 25 at bats during his strong July week. He scored five runs and had three doubles, four home runs, and eight runs batted in.
