Loading ...Hitter of the Month
In the month of July, first baseman Kevin Barker hit .368/.436/.667 with 5 home runs and 22 rbi to capture the editor’s pick as the Hitter of the Month for July. Barker played in 24 games this month, scoring 13 runs, belting 9 doubles, while walking 12 times compared to just 9 strikeouts. On the season, Barker is now batting .284/.376/.558 with 21 home runs and 62 rbi.
Pitcher of the Month
With a 3-0 record, Ben Jukich captured the editor’s votes to win the Redleg Nation pitcher of the month honors. In 5 starts, Ben pitched 33.1 innings, posting a 1.62 earned run average. He struck out 30, compared to just 11 walks. In all, Ben allowed 32 base runners, fewer than 1 base runner per inning.
Congratulations to both players for their fine play in July!
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April POTM Winners: Adam Rosales and Matt Maloney
May POTM Winners: Chris Heisey and Travis Wood
June POTM Winners: Danny Dorn and Homer Bailey
Barker has hit the ball hard lately and it’s carried over in August so far. I hope he gets called up in Sept. I know he is no longer a “prospect”, but he has earned some time in the bigs. By all accounts, he has been nothing short of the consumate professional and a great leader and mentor to the younger guys. I was really disappointed that the Reds didn’t use him when Votto was out. He would have been the perfect stopgap replacement.
Jukich has really taken off since they moved him from the bullpen and inserted him into the rotation.
Jukich has pitched well; they spent the first part of the year moving him from the rotation and to the bullpen and had to reverse direction with the callups.
Barker does deserve a chance to play for the Reds.