Major League Baseball announced this afternoon that Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve has been named the American League Player of the Month for June. This marks Altuve's first career Player of the Month award. Altuve has been named AL Co-Player of the Week twice in his career, receiving the honor for the weeks of April 11-17, 2016, and April 27-May 3, 2015.
During the month, Altuve hit .420 (42x100) with six doubles, four homers, 15 RBI, six steals and a 1.112 OPS (.492 OBP/.620 SLG) in 26 games. Altuve led all American League players in batting average, hits and on-base percentage during the month, establishing a franchise record for batting average in a single June (min. 75PA).
Altuve is the first second baseman in club history to win a monthly award. Prior to Altuve, the last Astros player to win a Player of the Month award was Lance Berkman in 2008, when he was named the National League Player of the Month for May.
Last season, the Astros took home five monthly awards, as left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel received three AL Pitcher of the Month awards (April, May August), shortstop Carlos Correa received June AL Rookie of the Month honors and left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir was named the July AL Pitcher of the Month.
Altuve, a three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger, 2015 Gold Glover and 2014 AL Batting Champion is in the midst of the best season of his career. He currently leads the Majors in batting average (.352) and the AL in hits (111), ranking tied for first among AL players in stolen bases (21), second in on-base percentage (.427) and third in doubles (24) and OPS (.992). Altuve is just two home runs and one walk shy of tying his single season career highs in both categories, as he is at 13 home runs and 39 walks on the season.