Now that the regular season has completed one month, it is time to award eight players some due recognition for their performance with the 2023 MLB monthly award.
These are the winners of the Players of the Month, Pitchers of the Month, Rookies of the Month and Relievers of the Month for April, as listed on Wednesday on MLB Network. The Players of the Month honor is presented by Chevrolet.
Without further ado, here is the list for the 2023 MLB monthly award:
Matt Chapman, TOR, AL Player of the Month
The Toronto Blue Jays’ third baseman led all MLB hitters in OPS (1.152), wRC+ (219) and fWAR (2.0).
An adjustment in the batter’s box had Chapman record an MLB-best 67.1 hard-hit rate.
Ronaldo Acuña Jr., ATL, NL Player of the Month
Acuña posted a strong .352/.440/.546 slash line and unleashed unimaginable terror once he made it to base, pacing all the players within 13 stolen bases. No player had more multihit games during the season’s first month than Acuña’s 13.
Gerrit Cole, NYY, AL Pitcher of the Month
Cole the Yankees’ ace led the Majors with 40 2/3 innings and allowed just five runs during this span. He won five of his six starts, including a two-hit, 10-strikeout shutout of the Minnesota Twins on April 16.
Clayton Kershaw, LAD, NL Pitcher of the Month
Kershaw wins Pitcher of the Month for the seventh time in his illustrious career and the first time since 2016. His April he gathered a 1.89 ERA, a .174 opponents’ batting average and his 200th career victory.
Josh Jung, TEX, AL Rookie of the Month
Jung led AL rookies in hits (27), home runs (six) and total bases (44), amongst other categories. He drove in 21 runs, the highest among all rookies.
James Outman, LAD, NL Rookie of the Month
Outman’s .973 OPS and 164 wRC+ were not only the best among rookies; they each rank in the top 15 among all qualified hitters.
Félix Bautista, BAL, AL Reliver of the Month
Bautista was essential to the Baltimore Orioles; hot start, getting all seven of his save chances. He struck out 25 batters in 13 2/3 innings and produced a robust 46.4% whiff rate.
Josh Hader, SD, NL Reliver of the Month
Hader was all except unhittable in the opening month. That is backed up by his .093 opponents’ batting average. He save an MLB-best 10 games and allowed just one run in 13 innings.
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