Boston's Middlebrooks earns AL player of the week honors

Jun 25, 2012 - 8:06 PM New York, NY (Sports Network) - Boston Red Sox rookie third baseman Will Middlebrooks was named the top player in the American League for the period ending June 24.

The 23-year-old Middlebrooks batted .625 with three doubles, three home runs and 10 RBI over six games.

Since making his major league debut on May 2, Middlebrooks is hitting .326 and leads all AL rookies with nine homers and 34 RBI. His emergence led Boston to trade Kevin Youkilis to the Chicago White Sox on Sunday.

Other players considered for the award included Middlebrooks' teammate Daniel Nava, Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and Indians pitcher Justin Masterson.