Wong & Siegrrist take Cardinals Minor League honors for May
Wong posts 15-game hitting streak; Siegrist excels at both AA & AAA
The St. Louis Cardinals announced their Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Month for May by honoring infielder Kolten Wong and left-handed relief pitcher Kevin Siegrist (pronounced sea-grist) for their accomplishments on the field.
Wong, 22, the Cardinals first round (22nd overall) selection out of the University of Hawaii in the 2011 first-year player draft batted .375 (39-104) with four home runs and eight RBI during the month while posting a 1.035 on-base+slugging percentage (OPS) at Memphis (AAA). Wong put together a 15-game hitting streak from May 6-27, batting .429 (30-7) during the stretch. The left-handed swinging second baseman currently leads the first place Redbirds with a .327 batting average, 69 hits and five triples.
"Kolten had a tremendously consistent month with the bat, while also continuing to play good defense at 2nd base," said Cardinals Director of Minor League Operations John Vuch. "He's been a big part of the success that Memphis has had this season".
Siegrist, 23, the Cardinals' 41st round (1,235th overall) selection out of Palm Beach Community College in the 2008 first-year player draft, did not allow an earned run during nine relief appearances in the month of May, splitting time between Springfield (AA) and Memphis (AAA). The left-handed pitcher was 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA, surrendering four hits and six walks while striking out 21 over 13.2 innings for a walks+hits/IP ratio of 0.73. His numbers against left-handed batters this season have been stifling, as opposing hitters have tallied only three singles for a .103 (3-for- 29) opponent batting average with 19 strikeouts.
"Kevin has been extraordinarily tough on lefties this year, and has adapted very well to changing his role to a reliever," said Vuch. "He earned his promotion to Memphis and we're happy to see him picking up where he left off in Springfield."