Andrew Heaney of the Los Angeles Angels named the American League Rookie of the Month for July

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney has been named American League Rookie of the Month for July.

Heaney went 4-0 with a 1.98 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 27.1 innings pitched over four starts to claim his first monthly award. He is the first Angels pitcher to win AL Rookie of the Month honors since Matt Shoemaker in August 2014. Among AL rookie starting pitchers, the 24-year-old finished first in wins, ERA and innings pitched, and tied for sixth in strikeouts. The Oklahoma City, Oklahoma native allowed only two home runs and walked just two batters.

Acquired in the offseason trade that sent Howie Kendrick to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Heaney delivered six innings of two run ball to capture his fifth win of the season on July 26th in a home tilt against the Texas Rangers. The ninth overall pick in the 2012 MLB Draft (by Miami) became the second pitcher and first lefty in Angels history with at least six innings pitched and two or fewer runs allowed in each of his first six starts with the team (Jered Weaver - 7). Andrew became the third Angels rookie starting pitcher this season (also: Nick Tropeano and Drew Rucinski) and the first left-handed rookie starter since Michael Roth in 2013. The Halos won each of his first six starts with the team, matching the club record for a lefty set by Jarrod Washburn in 1998. Entering play today, the Oklahoma State University product paces AL rookies in ERA (1.97) and has not surrendered more than three runs in any start. Moreover, Heaney boasts a 5-1 record and owns a 34-to-7 strikeout-to-walk rate. With the addition of the young lefty to the starting rotation, the Angels have developed a formidable pitching staff and currently hold the fifth-lowest ERA (3.63) and fourth-lowest batting average against (.244) in the AL. Los Angeles is 55-49 and presently sits 4.0 games back of the Houston Astros for the AL West lead.

Others receiving votes for AL Rookie of the Month included Carlos Correa (.306, 13 R, 5 HR, 14 RBI) and Preston Tucker (.314, 12 R, 6 HR, 11 RBI) of the Houston Astros; Miguel Sano (.297, 6 2B, 4 HR, 14 RBI) of the Minnesota Twins; Francisco Lindor (.295, 11 R, 4 HR, 14 RBI) of the Cleveland Indians; Curt Casali (.263, .789 SLG, 6 HR, 10 RBI) of the Tampa Bay Rays; and James McCann (.356, 6 R, 3 2B, 9 RBI) of the Detroit Tigers.

In recognition of his American League Rookie of the Month Award, Andrew Heaney will receive a specially designed trophy, suitably engraved, for his accomplishment.