Springer named A.L. Rookie of the Month

HOUSTON, TX - Major League Baseball announced this afternoon that Houston Astros outfielder George Springer has been named the American League Rookie of the Month for May.

Springer is just the fourth Astros player ever to win a rookie of the month award, joining OF Hunter Pence (May 2007), RHP Kirk Saarloos (July 2002) and RHP Roy Oswalt (August 2001), who all won NL Rookie of the Month awards.

For the month, Springer hit .294 (30x102) with four doubles, one triple, 10 homers, 25 RBI and a 1.032 OPS (.385 OBP/.647 SLG). He led all Major League rookies in homers, RBI and OPS during the month, while ranking fifth in batting average and second in hits.

Springer's 10 home runs ranked tied for third all-time in Major League history for homers by a rookie during May. The last rookie to hit 10 or more homers during the month was Mark McGwire, who hit 15 homers in May of 1987 (Major League record). Springer's 10 May homers also ranked tied for second among players in Astros history (Jimmy Wynn set the record with 11 homers in May of 1969). Prior to Springer, the last Astros player to hit 10 homers in May was Richard Hidalgo in 2000.

During his historic month, Springer hit seven home runs over a seven-game span from May 21-29. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he became just the second rookie in Major League history ever to hit seven homers over a seven-game stretch, joining Rudy York, who accomplished the feat with Detroit from August 22-27, 1937.

On the year, Springer is hitting .259 with 10 homers, 29 RBI and an .844 OPS (.344 OBP/.500 SLG). He ranks second among all Major League rookies in homers behind Jose Abreu (16), and has reached base safely in 34 of his 41 career Major League games.