The Cleveland Indians announced Akron Aeros LHP KELVIN DE LA CRUZ has been named the Indians Minor League Player of the Week for the week of August 28 – September 3.

This past week, De La Cruz recorded 2 saves for the Aeros as he tossed 5.1 scoreless innings, yielding just 1 hit while striking out 6 and walking 2. After making 16 starts this season in Akron, De La Cruz missed over a month of the season with left shoulder inflammation and was moved to the bullpen following his return, where he proceeded to toss 7.0 scoreless innings covering 6 appearances (2H, 0R, 4BB, 11K) while registering a pair of saves. On the year, De La Cruz was 5-6 with 2 saves and a 4.19 ERA (86.0IP, 70H, 42R/40ER, 57BB, 95K) in 23 games/16 starts. He limited left-handed hitters to a .143 (13-91) average against and with runners in scoring position batters hit just .178 (16-90) against him.

A native of the Dominican Republic, De La Cruz was signed by the Indians as a non-drafted free agent in 2004. Last year he went a combined 7-8 with a 5.01 ERA (127.2IP, 120H, 71ER, 72BB, 105K) in 26 starts between Kinston and Akron after being limited to just 19.2 innings in 2009 due to a left elbow injury.

De La Cruz is the sixth Aeros player to be named Indians Minor League Player of the Week this season joining Nick Hagadone, Tim Fedroff, Matt McBride, Beau Mills, and Matt Packer as players who have received this honor.

The Cleveland Indians Minor League Player of the Week award has recognized an individual performance from within the Indians Player Development System throughout 2011. This is the final Player of the Week award for this season. All players from the Tribe’s minor league affiliates have been eligible for this weekly award.

KELVIN DE LA CRUZ - 2011 STATS

W-L ERA G GS SV IP H R ER HR BB SO AVG
Week of 8/28-9/3 0-0 0.00 3 0 2 5.1 1 0 0 0 2 6 .0672011

Season 5-6 4.19 23 16 2 86.0 70 42 40 3 57 95 .227