Rookie bats make home run history in August
The month of August wrapped up as the most prolific home run-hitting month for rookies in Major League history.
The current influx of talented, young hitters was on full display throughout the month, as rookie hitters combined to rack up 155 home runs. That total is the most ever by a rookie class in any single month, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
This year's class set the record with the first rookie homer hit on Monday night -- a solo shot off the bat of Mets outfielder Michael Conforto. Though that was the 150th rookie homer hit in August, fellow rookies Carlos Correa, Tim Beckham, Addison Russell, Adam Duvall and Mark Canha later helped pad the new record with homers of their own.
Video: SEA@HOU: Correa crushes a two-run shot to left-center
It was an appropriate ending to the month for Correa, who had also helped kick off the record-breaking month with a multi-homer game on Aug. 1 against the D-backs. He finished the month with six homers, ranked sixth among all rookies, despite missing the last four games entering Monday due to a strained left hamstring.
As for the top five home run-hitting rookies for the month, Twins third baseman Miguel Sano and Cubs catcher/outfielder Kyle Schwarber led the way with nine apiece. Meanwhile, Cubs teammate Kris Bryant, along with Phillies catcher Cameron Rupp and Red Sox first baseman Travis Shaw each chipped in seven homers.
In all, 56 different rookies hit at least one home run in August to contribute to the record-setting effort.