Yuli, Goldy named July's Players of the Month

Yuli Gurriel and Paul Goldschmidt were named July’s Players of the Month for the American League and National League, respectively. It’s the first time Gurriel received the Player of the Month honor, and his second monthly award overall. He was named AL Rookie of the Month in July 2017. For Goldschmidt, it’s his second Player of the Month award -- he was June Player of the Month for the National League in '18.

• Cole, Strasburg are July Pitchers of Month

Gurriel entered July hitting .267 and raised that mark to .299 through July 31. In 24 July games, he hit .398 with an .837 slugging percentage, mashing 12 home runs and totaling 31 RBIs. That batting average was second among AL players with at least 50 plate appearances in July, as was his slugging percentage. The only AL player with more homers in July was Mike Trout (13). Gurriel’s 31 RBIs were also second among AL players during July (Rafael Devers, 34).

• Relievers of the Month: Kahnle, Lugo

Gurriel is the first Astros player to win Player of the Month honors since Alex Bregman did so in June 2018.

• Alvarez, Hiura nab Rookie of the Month honors

Goldschmidt hit .308 in 25 July games with a .725 slugging percentage, hitting 11 home runs and racking up 27 RBIs. Six of those 11 home runs came in six straight games from July 22-27, a streak that tied the Cardinals franchise record for consecutive games with a home run. Goldschmidt’s 27 RBIs were tied for most in the NL in July (with Josh Donaldson), and only Eugenio Suarez hit more homers (12).