Akron Aeros pitcher Giovanni Soto has received another honor for his play this past week. The lefty was named Tuesday as the Indians Minor League Player of the Week for July 15-22.

The 21-year old Puerto Rican was 1-1 with an ERA of 1.29 in two starts including a no hitter on July 15 against Altoona.

Soto was obtained from Detroit two years ago in the Jhonny Peralta deal.

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Press Release:

The Cleveland Indians today announced Akron LHP GIOVANNI SOTO has been named the Indians Minor League Player of the Week for July 15-22. The Player of the Week award recognizes an individual performance from within the Indians Player Development System and is each Tuesday through the end of the minor league baseball season.

Soto, 21, went 1-1 with a 1.29ERA (14.0IP, 6H, 3R/2ER, 6BB, 7K) in 2 starts, including a 9.0-inning no-hitter on July 15 vs. Altoona in which he allowed one unearned run, 3 walks with 6 strikeouts in a 2-1 Akron win. It was just the second no-hitter in Akron Aeros franchise history. On July 20th, Soto was a tough luck loser, tossing 5.0 innings, allowing 6 hits, 3 runs (2ER), 3 walks with a strikeout in a 3-2 loss to Richmond. On the season Soto is 6-7 with a 3.72 ERA (106.1IP, 95H, 52R/44ER, 42BB, 88K) in 19 starts. He currently is tied for 1st in the Eastern League in complete games (2) and shutouts (1).

Soto was acquired from the Detroit Tigers on July 29, 2010 in exchange for INF Jhonny Peralta. The Carolina, Puerto Rico native, was selected by Detroit in the 21st round of the 2009 June Draft after originally being selected in the 46th round of the 2008 June Draft by the Philadelphia Phillies (did not to sign). In 2010, he led the Midwest League in shutouts (2), was T-1st in complete games (2), 4th in ERA (2.93) and was named to the Midwest League All-Star team for Class-A Lake County.

Following his historic no-hitter on Sunday, Akron Aeros southpaw Giovanni Soto has been named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week.

Taking questions from the media Monday afternoon at Canal Park, Soto said through his translator, Aeros coach Rouglas Odor that Sunday's milestone was a thrill he'll never forget.

"He's very excited about it, " said Odor. "Every time he takes the mound, he's always looking to deliver a good performance, but he never thought it would be as good as Sunday."

The 21-year old's dominant pitching performance was just the second time in franchise history that an Aeros pitcher has thrown a 9-inning no hitter since Jeanmar Gomez accomplished the feat in 2009.

Akron Aeros Pitcher Giovanni Soto by Akron NewsNow

Odor said after his no-no Soto was responding to the numerous congratulations he received through social media and phone calls.

"There were many people congratulating him on Facebook, so he spent a lot of time after the game typing back to his friends and family members."

Soto struck out six batters and walked three while giving up one unearned run in Sunday's 2-1 victory over the Altoona Curve.

The Carolina,Puerto Rico native is now 6-6 on the year with a 3.7 ERA in 18 starts with the Aeros this season.

Originally selected by the Detroit Tigers in 2009, Soto was acquired by the Cleveland Indians in the Jhonny Peralta trade in 2010.

The Aeros will continue their homestand with the Harrisburg Senators at Canal Park through Wednesday.

Note: Soto is speaking through Aeros coach Rouglas Odor in the audio clip.