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Chamberlain, Syzmanski win weekly awards
05/29/2007 6:13 PM ET
Offensive Player of the Week
Brandon Syzmanski, Sarasota
.435 (10-23), 7 R, 0 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 9 RBI, 2 BB, 6 SO, 0 SB, .913 SLG
Nothing has been easy for Syzmanski since making his pro debut in 2004. After injuries derailed his progress for much of his first two seasons, the center fielder led the Minors in strikeouts last year with 191. This year looked to be much of the same, as Syzmanski was hitting a paltry .205 on May 19. However, his luck may be changing after an unexpected offensive explosion last week in which his average skyrocketed to .239. A two-run triple in the second inning and a two-run blast in the fourth, which helped Sarasota grab a 7-4 victory over Daytona Tuesday, highlighted one of his best weeks as a pro.

Pitcher of the Week
Joba Chamberlain, Tampa
1-0, 1.29 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 14.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 16 SO
After the former Nebraska stud dominated the Hawaiian Winter League in 2006, experts touted Chamberlain as one of the league's top prospects. So far, it looks like they were right. On Tuesday, the young gun pitched a solid six innings, surrendering two runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking two in a 6-3 win over Jupiter. But that start proved to be just an appetizer to the main course he served against Vero Beach on Sunday. In eight innings of shutout work, Chamberlain struck out a season-high nine batters, yielding only two hits and a pair of walks and dropping his ERA to an astounding 1.61 through five starts.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.