Henry Roldán
With the third month of this Major League Baseball season officially completed, the Major League Baseball Player of the Month for June–an award that not only recognizes the best hitters in the American and National League during the month, but also the best pitcher, the best rookie, and the best reliever in each of the circuits.
Without further ado, these are the MLB Players of the Month for June.
MLB Player of the Month for June
American League: Yordan Álvarez, BD, Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are once again one of the best teams in the Major Leagues, and Cuban Yordan Álvarez is largely responsible for that. The slugger earned his first career American League Player of the Month award for June after averaging a monstrous .418 average. In addition, he slammed nine homers, drove in 28 runs and showed impressive plate discipline, striking out just 13 times and getting the same number of tickets.
National League: Kyle Schwarber, OF, Philadelphia Phillies
June is definitely a good month for Kyle Schwarber.The Philadelphia Phillies outfielder, who for the second consecutive season was appointed the National League Player of the Month at this time of the season, led the team in homers in the absence of Bryce Harper. The Philadelphia Phillies outfielder carried the team in Bryce Harper’s absence, and not only did he drive in 27 runs, but he also led in homers with 12, including a pair of two-hit games. Awesome job!
MLB Pitcher of the Month for June
American League: Dylan Cease, SP, Chicago White Sox
One of the few positive news of the White Sox season so far is the great pitching of Dylan Cease, who was awarded the young circuit’s Pitcher of the Month for June. The right-hander was practically unhittable in the 27.1 innings in which he worked, as his opponents only hit .192 against him, he struck out 35 of them and his ERA barely reached 0.35.
National League: Sandy Alcantara, SP, Miami Marlins
The Marlins have a strong Cy Young candidate in the arm of Sandy Alcántara, the Dominican who was crowned National League Pitcher of the Month for June thanks to his stamina on the mound. The 26-year-old right-hander extended his streak of consecutive games with at least seven innings of work to 10 after reaching the seventh act in each of his six starts over the past month, including the complete game in a pair of them. He also posted a 3-1 record with a 1.89 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 34 SO in 47.2 IP.
MLB June Rookie of the Month
American League: Julio Rodríguez, OF, Seattle Mariners
The young Dominican seems to want to grab this award in his rookie year after being awarded Rookie of the Month for the second consecutive time. Julio Rodríguez had a better performance in June than when he won the award in May as this time he carried the Mariners’ offense on his shoulders as he hit .280 with 22 R, 5 stolen bases and 16 runs produced (RISP).
National League: Michael Harris II, OF, Atlanta Braves
Michael Harris II wasted no time in making a good impression after being promoted to the big team on May 28 and was honored as the National League Rookie of the Month for June. The Braves’ outfielder played 24 games, in which he posted a .341 batting average. In addition, he brought speed to the team with four stolen bases (SB), scored 18 times, hit four home runs, drove in 16 runs and posted a .945 OPS.
MLB Reliever of the Month for June
American League: Emmanuel Clase, CP, Cleveland Indians
The good momentum that the Cleveland Indians experienced during the month of June had several causes, including the immaculate work of their closer, Emmanuel Clase. The Dominican worked 15 innings in which he allowed no runs, gave up only seven hits and struck out 16 opponents. Likewise, they barely connected for a .137 average and he rescued 11 games to lead the Major Leagues this season with 18.
National League: Edwin Díaz, CP, New York Mets
The New York Mets continue to lead the National League East Division thanks to their good collective performance, including that of their closer Edwin Díaz. The Puerto Rican allowed only one run in 9.2 innings of work for his team’s cause and rescued the five games in which he entered a save situation. In addition, of the 29 outs he got, 21 of them were via strikeout and his WHIP was 0.93.
