"Kang led all qualifying Major League rookies with a .379 (33-for-87) batting average, a .443 on-base percentage, a .621 slugging percentage, 18 runs scored, 33 base hits and 54 total bases, while his three home runs were tied for fourth among NL rookies," MLB said in a press release. He is currently hitting at a .294 clip on the season, collecting 83 hits in 282 at-bats over 88 games.
This is the first career monthly honor for the 28-year-old slugger. Kang is the second South Korean to win the honor, after former Chicago Cubs first baseman Choi Hee-seop in April 2003.
Other players receiving votes included New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard (2-1, 1.32 ERA, 38 SO, 34.O IP); San Francisco's Chris Heston (3-0, 1.57 ERA, 20 SO, 34.1 IP); outfielder Randal Grichuk (.287, 25 H, 13 R, 4 HR, 15 RBI, .529 SLG) of the St. Louis Cardinals; Atlanta Braves pitcher Matt Wisler (4-0, 3.30 ERA, 24 SO, 30.0 IP); Milwaukee's Taylor Jungmann (3-2, 1.77 ERA, 30 SO, 35.2 IP); Miami Marlins first baseman Justin Bour (.253, 19 H, 3 HR, 16 RBI, .440 SLG); and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera (.362, 11 R, 25 H, 2 HR, 8 RBI, .580 SLG), according to MLB.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
