Andrew McCutchen turned a great June up a notch, going five for five with two walks in his last two games to finish the month with a .411/.505/.689 slash line. That was the highest OBP in the majors (min 85 PA) and the highest batting average. A .400 BA is so tough to achieve, that I seldom see a player reach that level in a full month. Cody Bellinger, with 30 hits, nine doubles, and 13 home runs, posted the highest slugging percentage at .743. Of the sluggers, however, only Aaron Judge came close to matching McCutchen in terms of OBP, but Judge did it with lots of walks instead of lots of hits. Bellinger’s 13 home runs led the majors, while Jose Ramirez and Odubel Herrera each hit an MLB high 13 doubles, part of an outstanding month for the Indians third baseman. Trea Turner stole 22 bases in 26 attempts, but his month ended with a wrist injury, and he’ll be out of action for a while. Aaron Judge scored 30 runs to lead the majors, while Mike Zunino came out of nowhere to drive in 31.
McCutchen did everything well, however, and Andrew McCutchen is the Baseball Musings Offensive Player of the Month for June 2017.
The Nationals occupy both ends of the ERA leader board for the month of June, with Max Scherzer posting an MLB best 0.99 ERA for the month (min 26 IP) while Tanner Roark brings up the NL rear with a 8.31 mark. Scherzer’s main competition is Corey Kluber, with a 1.26 ERA, but pitching in the AL. Kluber performed better in all three-true outcome categories. Both pitchers kept the ball in the park, combining to allow just three home runs in a record setting month for dingers. Kluber also went 4-0 while Scherzer posted a 3-2 record.
As far was wins go, Jason Vargas comes in with a 6-0 record and a 1.98 ERA. His month was a bit unlikely, as he struck out just 5.05 batters per nine IP. His walks and home runs allowed were outstanding. Clayton Kershaw posted another great month, with a 5-0 record and 2.23 ERA despite allowing seven home runs.
Corey Knebel and Kenley Jansen each saved ten games, with Jansen with the more impressive overall numbers. Knebel did blow batters away in the month, making up for all the walks.
Even though Scherzer did post a better ERA. Kluber’s better three true outcomes and facing designated hitters wins the day. Corey Kluber is Baseball Musings Pitcher of the Month for June 2017.
Congratulations to both players!