KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Royals announced today that infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield and right-handed pitcher Ian Kennedy have been named Royals Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for the month of June. The awards are determined by a local media vote.

Merrifield, 30, was named an American League All-Star for the first time on Sunday, and will represent the Royals at the All-Star Game in Cleveland on July 9. He led the Royals and finished third in the American League with 36 hits in June, his sixth consecutive 30-hit month dating back to last season (excluding March 2019). Merrifield batted .310 with four home runs and 14 RBI, including a hit in 23 of 27 games. On June 15 at Minnesota, he had a season-high-tying four hits, and three days later, on June 18 in Seattle, he recorded his second career multi-home run game and set a career high with six RBI. This is Merrifield’s fourth career Royals Player of the Month Award, including May 2019, August 2018 and June 2018.

Kennedy, 34, recorded a 0.96 ERA (1 ER in 9.1 IP) with 12 strikeouts (11.8 K/9) in 10 appearances last month. He posted eight saves in as many chances, matching three others for the Major League lead, although he and former Royal Will Smith were the only ones with at least eight without a blown save. Kennedy’s eight saves were the most by a Royal in the month of June since Greg Holland’s nine in 2015. Ian faced 36 batters and allowed just five hits and two walks, good for a 0.75 WHIP. This is Kennedy’s fourth career Royals Pitcher of the Month Award, including March/April 2019, August 2016 and May 2016.