Machado doesn't take long to win AL weekly honors
Manny Machado's big debut is national news at this point.
The Baltimore Orioles rookie infielder, who was called up Thursday, was named the American League Co-Player of the Week on Monday for a period ending Sunday. He shared the honor with Boston Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.
Through four games, Machado is 6-for-16 with a double, a triple, three homers, seven RBI and five runs.
Machado has had an extra-base hit in each of his first four games to begin his Orioles career, joining Ray Knight, Lee May and Frank Robinson as players with that distinction, MASNsports.com reported.
Perhaps most impressive of all isn't that Machado is just a few weeks removed from being a teenager, or that he never appeared in Class AAA. Machado is playing a new position after spending virtually every game of his professional career at shortstop.
So far, he's handled third base well, fielding all 11 of his opportunities there without a misstep.
He's taking his craft seriously, too, spending part of Monday's off day working at his new position, MASNsports.com reported.
So far, Machado has fit in with the Orioles clubhouse, the offense and the defense. The 20-year-old is off to a roaring start, and if he maintains his offensive production, the Orioles will be poised to make a serious run at a playoff spot.
