Zach Neto continues to confirm what many had already predicted: that this Miami-born, son of Cuban immigrants, is destined to be a star in Major League Baseball. This week, the shortstop was recognized as American League Player of the Week, after a heavily talked about performance last week.
The numbers speak for themselves. Neto went 8-for-25, with four home runs, eight RBIs, and a 1.254 OPS. A performance that came at a key moment for his team and solidifies him as one of the most complete shortstops in the league. At just 24 years of age he carries himself with the confidence of a veteran.
His 2025 campaign is a testament to consistency. He’s hitting .270 with 21 home runs and 21 stolen bases, making him, along with Francisco Lindor, the only shortstops to have reached the 20-20 milestone this year. Lindor himself was the National League winner, after a dominant week in which he hit .560 with three home runs and seven RBIs.
Neto’s impact doesn’t end with his hitting. He’s been astute defensively, leading all shortstops in double plays completed with 36, and ranking fifth in runs saved with 8. The backbone of his team’s defense undoubtedly lies in his glove.
But if there were any doubts about his ability, he dispelled them a few days ago. Neto greeted Japanese hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto with a home run on the first pitch of the game, his eighth home run as the leadoff hitter in a game in 2025. With that blast, he took over the franchise record in that category, which had been set by Brian Downing since 1987.