Henry Roldán
As the second month of this Major League season comes to an end, the MLB Player of the Month awards corresponding to May have been announced. This is an award that not only rewards the best batters in the American and National League during that month, but also sets apart the best pitcher, the best rookie and best reliever in each of the circuits.
Without further ado, these are the MLB Players of the Month for May.
MLB Player of the Month for May
American League: Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees
On track to put up historic numbers at the end of the season, Aaron Judge continues to dazzle offensively with the Yankees. He cemented his Player of the Month status in May by hitting 12 home runs, co-leading the category with Mookie Betts at the time, and being the absolute leader of the Major Leagues with 19. In addition, he hit .331, with an OPS of 1.077 and 25 RBI.
NL: Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals
In the National League, Paul Goldschmidt’s performance was not far from Judge’s. The first baseman of the Cardinals finished a spectacular month of May by connecting for a .404 average and being the leader of all Majors in OPS and RBI with 1,288 and 33, respectively. In addition, in that period he dispatched 10 home runs: the second-best number of the old circuit, only surpassed by Betts.
MLB Pitcher of the Month for May
American League: Martin Perez, SP, Texas Rangers
Martín Pérez’s season with the Rangers is truly amazing, and his selection for May’s Pitcher of the Month proves it. With a 0.64 ERA in 42.1 innings of work, the fear-inducing Venezuelan lead all qualified innings pitchers in the Major Leagues. Pérez, who is also the leader in ERA in the season with 1.42, was the starter in six games in which he went 4-0, with 33 strikeouts; his team won each and every one of his starts in the month.
National League: Zack Wheeler, SP, Philadelphia Phillies
Despite having a rough April, Zack Wheeler showed his talent on the mound by pulling himself together and shining as the NL Pitcher of the Month. The Phillies right-hander started four games in which he went 2-0 with 40 strikeouts in 32.2 innings of work. This number of strikeouts, as well as a 1.65 ERA, was the third-best mark within the old circuit.
MLB Rookie of the Month for May
American League: Julio Rodriguez, OF, Seattle Mariners
From early in his career, Julio Rodríguez has been paying off for the Mariners, and his Rookie of the Month award for May is a clear example of that. The 21-year-old Dominican outfielder became the first Seattle player to win this award since the 2011 season by hitting .309 with five home runs, 17 RBIs and a good .896 OPS. Likewise, his five stolen bases have helped him increase his lead in the Major Leagues by collecting 15 in 2022.
National League: Luis Gonzalez, OF, San Francisco Giants
Little by little, Mexican Luis González has gradually gained playing time with the Giants as a result of his overall performance. In May, the 26-year-old outfielder not only hit.368, with a home run, seven doubles, 13 RBIs, and a.910 OPS, but he also pitched in three games, allowing no runs in two of them.
MLB Reliever of the Month for May
American League: Clay Holmes, RP, New York Yankees
Is Aroldis Chapman not here? Well, that’s no problem for the Yankees, since they have Clay Holmes to come to the rescue. In May, the 29-year-old right-hander was a phenomenon, pitching 14 shutout innings for his team, allowing only eight hits, 15 strikeouts, and no walks while going 3-0 with four saves. Amazing!
National League: David Bednar, CP, Pittsburgh Pirates
If the Pirates have not been the disastrous team they were expected to be in 2022, it is largely due to the work of their relief and of David Bednar. The CP had a terrific month of May, saving seven of eight games over 16.1 innings. In addition, his ERA was just 1.65, he struck out 21 opponents, gave up only two walks and was hit with a home run.
