Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Awarded NL Player of the Week

The D-backs outfielder is recognized for his blazing-hot start.

Mar 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (12) / Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Diamondbacks outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was named the National League Player of the Week today, following an incredible opening series performance by Arizona's No. 3 hitter.

Gurriel, fresh off his 3-year, $42 million deal to stay in Arizona, has made his bat an instant offensive weapon in the D-backs' opening series with the Colorado Rockies. Gurriel has gone 8-for-17 in his first four games, including two doubles and three home runs, two of which came in the first inning of back-to-back games. Gurriel's three home runs in the first three games of the regular season makes him the first D-back in franchise history to do so.

The right-handed hitter has only struck out three times over 19 plate appearances, and has walked twice and stolen a base in his explosive early stretch of 2024.

He's scored six runs, and leads MLB in total bases with 19 against Colorado, but his 10 RBI over the first four contests is a D-backs record, and ties the lead in all of MLB, alongside Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts.

Although in a very limited sample size, Gurriel boasts an astonishing .471/.526/1.118 slash line, which translates to a stunning 1.644 OPS. He leads Arizona in evert major hitting category, and has been the driving force of the D-backs' offense in their 3-1 regular season start, including delivering a 3-for-5, five-RBI performance to help propel the D-backs to a historic 16-1 victory on Opening Day. Five RBI is also an Opening Day franchise record for the D-backs.

Alongside Gurriel, New York's Juan Soto was awarded AL Player of the Week honors. Soto slashed .529/.600/.765, with a double, a home run and four RBI in the Yankees' four-game series in Houston. Arizona will host Soto and the Yankees at Chase Field this week, starting tonight, as the reigning AL and NL Players of the Week lead their hot squads into an exciting three-game set. Catch up on the Series Preview Here

First pitch against New York will be tonight at 6:40 PM, with Ryne Nelson set to get the start vs Yankees right-hander Luis Gil.