Topic: Player of the Month Awards

[Pirates LW]

2017 Player of the Month Awards

Each month MLB announces the Player of the Month Award in both leagues. Since MLB does this there is no reason why we cannot. Here is the first installment:

American League Player of the Month for April

Hitter of the Month
Joey Votto – Toronto Blue Jays 1B
The $216million dollar man is earning his pay. Votto led the AL in OPS (1.063). He smacked 7HR with 23RBI, 16 Runs and 16 walks. He even stole 2 bases!

Honorable Mentions:
JD Martinez MIN OF; 1.028OPS
Ryan Schrimpf TB 2B; 11HR .622 SLG

Pitcher of the Month
Aaron Sanchez – Seattle Mariners Starting Pitcher
In 6 GS Sanchez is 4-0 with a 0.94 ERA and a 0.83WHIP. He allowed 1 HR in 48IP, while striking out 41 batters.

Honorable Mentions:
David Huff - Oakland 1.09ERA
Robbie Ray – Boston 1.34 ERA

National League Player of the Month for April

Hitter of the Month
Jedd Gyorko – San Diego Padres 2B
Gyorko is the only NL with an OPS over 1.000. Gyorko led the Senior Circuit with 8HR. He was credited with 25 Runs Created and 9.2 RC per 27 Outs.

Honorable Mentions:
Brandon Belt WSH 1B .964OPS with 20 RBI
Jose Altuve AZ 2B .941OPS 25 Runs Created

Pitcher of the Month
Josh Smith – Miami Marlins Starting Pitcher
In 4 starts Josh put up a 0.60 ERA with a 0.83WHIP. He fanned 30  with only 6BB in 29 innings.

Honorable Mentions:
Miguel Gonzalez – St. Louis 28IP 0.96 ERA
Corey Kluber– Pittsburgh 36IP 1.73 ERA with 47K

[Mariners BW]

And Sanchez continues to dangle out there... trade talks have been intensifying, but none have resulted in a deal.  Could that change soon???

[Marlins JM]

Josh Smith...

by FAR the most expensive Miami Marlins starter...


thus proving that you have to spend money on the upper echelon guys to compete in this league.

[Royals JC]

Josh Smith...

by FAR the most expensive Miami Marlins starter...


thus proving that you have to spend money on the upper echelon guys to compete in this league.

HA!!

[Pirates LW]

2017 Player of the Month Awards

American League Player of the Month for May

Hitter of the Month
Edwin Encarnacion – Cleveland Indians DH
When a player leads the league in HR, RBI & SLG all the other candidates take a back seat. EE did just that with 12 HR, 30 RBI and .664 SLG; he also compiled the most total bases. Edwin had a 1.043 OPS and was 3rd in the AL in runs scored. He was credited with creating 26 runs. For the season Encarnacion already has 18 HR.

Honorable Mentions:
Ryan Schimpf Tampa Bay 2B; 8 HR 25 Runs scored 1.024 OPS
Jose Abreu Min 1B; 9 HR  20 RBI  1.058 OPS

Pitcher of the Month
Luis Severino – KC Royals Starting Pitcher
In 7 GS Severino was 4-1 with a 0.96 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP. Severino led the AL in GS, IP and ERA. In 47 IP Luis allowed just 32 hits and only 1 HR. For the season RHB are hitting .180/.228/.273 vs Severino.

Honorable Mentions:
Jon Lester – Boston 4-0 in 44IP 1.02 ERA
Danny Salazar – LA Angels 5-0 in 44IP 1.23 ERA

National League Player of the Month for April

Hitter of the Month
Yasiel Puig – Arizona Diamondback RF
Puig’s slash line of .424/.476/.761  lapped the competition in all three categories by a wide margin. Yasiel's BABIP of .476 was ridiculously impressive. Although he only hit 4 HR, Puig’s 1.237 OPS easily led the NL as did his total of 35 runs created; second best was 27 RC (see below)

Honorable Mentions:
George Springer San Diego RF; 1.029 OPS with 29 RBI
Freddie Freeman Cincinnati 1B; 1.012 OPS with 27 Runs created

Pitcher of the Month
Zack Greinke – Milwaukee Brewers Starting Pitcher
Although Zack compiled only 34IP in May (twice he was removed in the 1st inning due to injury) he easily wins the monthly award. His ERA was 0.52 with a 0.61 WHIP. He threw 2 CG shutouts and allowed only 2 runs the entire month.

Honorable Mentions:
Jamie Garcia Pittsburgh Pirates; 2-0 in 34.2IP; 1.30 ERA 0.81WHIP
Danny Duffy LA Dodgers; 3-2 in 39.2IP 1.59 ERA

[Giants SK]

Wrong year? Its 2017, right? Maybe I'm just losing it.

[Pirates LW]

2017 Player of the Month Awards

American League Player of the Month for June

Hitter of the Month
J.D. Martinez - Minnesota Twins DH
Martinez OPS for June was 1.034, he was the sole AL hitter with an OPS over 1.000 for the month. He is credited with 29 Runs created. JD hit 6 HR with 18 RBI and 20 runs scored

Honorable Mentions:
Alex Gordon KC Royals -  LF; 8 HR 20 RBI;  .953 OPS
Jefry Marte Houston Astros - 1B/LF; 7HR 21RBI .999 OPS

Pitcher of the Month
Danny Salazar – LA Angels Starting Pitcher
In 6 GS Salazar Lackey collected 3 wins with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP. Danny threw 44 innings while allowing only 30 base hits and fanning 49 batters.

Honorable Mentions:
Chris Archer – Cleveland Indians 39IP 1.60 ERA
Mashahiro Tanaka – Texas Rangers 34IP 1.57 ERA

National League Player of the Month for June

Hitter of the Month
Yoenis Cespedes - Milwaukee Brewers  Left Field
Cespedes’ 11 HR .757 SLG and  1.166OPS win him the honor for June. An on-base percentage of .409 is none too shabby either. Yoenis was credited with creating a league best 28.6 runs. He destroyed RHP to the tune of a 1.349OPS

Honorable Mentions:
Josh Donaldson Philadelphia Phillies - 3B; 10HR 33RBI
Wil Myers Pittsburgh Pirates - 1B/LF; 1.081 OPS; 26.6 Runs created

Pitcher of the Month
Corey Kluber – Pittsburgh Pirates Starting Pitcher
In 4 starts Kluber allowed 3 runs (only 2 earned). His 0.77 ERA for June easily was the best mark for the month. Corey averaged 10K per 9 innings and did not yield any home runs. Kluber leads NL in ERA at 1.75; next best NL ERA is 2.46

Andrew Heaney – Atlanta Braves 1.67 ERA 4:1 K/BB ratio with 0 HR allowed
Chris Sale – Washington Nationals 45IP  55K  0.80 WHIP  2.20ERA

[Pirates LW]

2017 Player of the Month Awards

American League Player of the Month for July

Hitter of the Month
Ian Kinsler – KC Royals Secondbase
Kinsler was the only AL hitter with an OPS north of 1.000 at 1.022. His slash line was .361/.402/.620. His BAVG & SLG% were league best. Kinsler compiled a league high 67 Total Bases.

Honorable Mentions:
Kris Bryant Baltimore Orioles 3B; 7HR 20RBI,  20R  .992 OPS
Seth Smith Boston Red Sox RF; 7HR 17RBI, 20R  .967 OPS

Pitcher of the Month
Kenta Maeda – KC Royals Starting Pitcher
Maeda recorded 3 wins in 5 starts. His ERA was as a nifty 1.62. In 39 IP he allowed only 28 base runners while fanning 40.

Honorable Mentions:
Matt Harvey – Los Angeles Angels 28IP 1.61 ERA; 0.93WHIP
Chris Archer – Cleveland Indians 34.2 IP 1.31ERA; 0.96WHIP

National League Player of the Month for July

Hitter of the Month
Mike Trout – SF Giants Centerfield
Trout is credited with 34 Runs Created. His July slash line I.351/.431/.777 for an OPS of 1.208. Trout cracked 10HR knocked in 23 and scored 20 runs 

Honorable Mentions:
Miguel Cabrera - Philadelphia Phillies 1B 1.142 OPS; 11HR 24RBI
George Springer SD Padres RF; 1.104 OPS; 10.7RC per 27 outs

Pitcher of the Month
Corey Kluber – Pittsburgh Pirates (now LA Dodgers) Starting Pitcher
Kluber becomes the first back-to-back Player of Month winner. In 6 starts  Corey was 2-0 allowing only 34 base runners in 44 IP. His 1.23 ERA was NL best by a healthy margin. He whiffed 44 opposing batters while walking only 6. During June & July, Kluber had a 1.07 ERA. The next best ERA over that span was 2.38.

Honorable Mentions:
Tyler Anderson – SF Giants 34 IP 1.59 ERA 0.94 WHIP
Chris Tillman – NY Mets 36 IP 1.73 ERA 0.96 WHIP

[Royals JC]

Go Royals!

[Twins BS]

Go Royals!

More like... Go away, Royals... amirite?

[Pirates LW]

2017 Player of the Month Awards

American League Player of the Month for August

Hitter of the Month
Kris Bryant – Baltimore Orioles Third Base
Bryant won the P.O.M. award in August last year and he wins it again in 2017. His OPS was 1.005. He led the AL in Runs Created (28) and RC/27 at 9.9. He also was the league leader in TAVG and Sec Avg. He swiped 4 bases without being causght.

Honorable Mentions:
Joc Pedereson Detroit Tigers CF;  12 HR & 28 RBI & 1.029 OPS
Mookie Betts  Minnesota Twins RF; 25 Runs Created; .383OBP; 22 Runs Scored

Pitcher of the Month
Kenta Maeda – KC Royals Starting Pitcher
Last month Corey Kluber became the first player to win consecutive P.O.M. Awards, now Kenta Maeda achieves the same distinction. Maeda backed up his July performance with an even better August. Since July 1, Maeda is 7-0 with a 1.44 ERA over 81IP with only 48 base hits and a 0.81WHIP

Honorable Mentions:
Jordan Zimmermann Texas Rangers SP; 34 IP, 1.83 ERA
Chris Basset Oakland A’s SP; 1.95 ERA in 28 IP with 0 HR allowed

National League Player of the Month for August

Hitter of the Month
MIguel Cabrera – Philadelphia Phillies First Base
Miggy smacked 10HR, drove in 23, scored 22 to go along with a 1.092 OPS. His 31 Runs Created was a league best. He also led in TAVG, RC/27 and Total Bases.

Honorable Mentions:
Mike Trout San Francisco Giants CF; 1.082 OPS; 9 HR 22 RBI
Byron Buxton Pittsburgh Pirates CF; .981 OPS; 26 RC; 68 Total Bases

Pitcher of the Month
Chris Sale – Washington Nationals SP
In 6 starts covering 43IP  Sale allowed 32 base runners while fanning 56. His ERA was 1.27 with a 0.75 WHIP. Sale did not allow a HR in August. Due to poor run support his W/L record was just 1-0.

Honorable Mentions:
Sonny Gray Chicago Cubs SP; 44 IP 1.83 ERA, 0.63 WHIP
Marcus Stroman Stl. Cardinals SP; 43 IP 1.47 ERA, 0.91 WHIP

[Pirates LW]

2017 Player of the Month Awards

American League Player of the Month for September-October

Hitter of the Month
David Ortiz – Los Angeles Angels DH
In his final month of his DMBO career, Big Papi put on a show to remember. Ortiz hit 11HR, knocked in 30 and scored 21. His OPS was 1.088.  He was credited with 29.4 Runs Created. 

Honorable Mentions:
Giancarlo Stanton Cleveland Indians RF;  1.096 OPS, 12HR & 25 RBI
Joey Votto Toronto Blue Jays 1B; 1.063 OPS; 29 Runs Created

Pitcher of the Month
Jerad Eickhoff – Tampa Bay Rays Starting Pitcher
Eickhoff gets the monthly award due to making 6 starts and one relief appearance. In 43IP he was 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA. Jerad fanned 47, allowed only 1 HR and threw a complete game on September 12th.

Honorable Mentions:
Carlos Carrasco, Chris Archer, & J.A. Happ Cleveland Indians SP; This Cleveland trio went a combined 15-0 with a 1.84 ERA in September as Cleveland went 23-6 to claim the division title.


National League Player of the Month for September-October

Hitter of the Month
Sean Rodriguez – Pittsburgh Pirates 2B
Rodriguez was a large part of the Pirates success as they won 18 of 28 in September securing a 3rd consecutive playoff appearance. Sean hit 11HR, knocked in 28, posted a league best .732 Slg with an OPS of 1.127. He was credited with 32.5 Runs Created.

Honorable Mentions:
Freddie Freeman – Cincinnati Reds 1B; 1.150 OPS with 32 Runs Created
Nick Castellanos Chicago Cubs 3B; .976 OPS with 27 Runs Created & 67 TB

Pitcher of the Month
Blake Snell – Arizona Diamondbacks  Starting Pitcher
In 6 starts Snell was 5-0 fanning 39 in 35IP. His 1.54 ERA was NL best and he permitted only 1 HR. 

Honorable Mentions:
Chris Rusin Miami Marlins SP, 44 IP 1.84 ERA, 0.93 WHIP
Ervin Santana Chicago Cubs SP, 38 IP 1.66 ERA, 0.97 WHIP