Power-hitting Bour named NL Rookie of the Month

MIAMI -- After opening the season in the Minor Leagues, Justin Bour saved his best for last. The Marlins first baseman heated up in September, belting nine home runs while driving in 25 runs.

Bour's steady play over 26 games earned him the award for National League Rookie of the Month. In September, the left-handed hitter's slash line was .290/.321/.590.

The power production of Bour helped offset the injury loss of Giancarlo Stanton, who broke his left hamate bone on June 26 and didn't return the rest of the year. Bour crushed 13 homers and drove in 46 runs after the All-Star break.

Bour was called up from Triple-A New Orleans in late April, and his playing time increased once Michael Morse went on the disabled list with a finger injury. Providing left-handed power, Bour's emergence factored into Miami's decision to trade Morse to the Dodgers in late July.

For the season, the 27-year-old Bour batted .262/.321/.479. He led the Marlins in RBIs with 73, and he was second in homers with 23. Stanton paced the club with 27 homers and was second in RBIs with 67.

The Marlins aren't completely ready to hand Bour the starting first-base job for 2016, but he certainly made a case to be considered at least as a platoon option.