KANSAS CITY, Mo. (June 2, 2019) – The Kansas City Royals announced this morning that infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield and left-handed pitcher Jake Diekman have been named Royals Player and Pitcher of the Month, respectively, for the month of May. The awards are determined by a local media vote.

Merrifield, 30, hit .305/.359/.534 (36-for-118) in May and led the American League in doubles (10), triples (4) and extra-base hits (17), which trail only Mike Sweeney’s 20 extra-base hits in 2001 for the most by a Royal in the month of May. Merrifield also ranked third in the league with 36 hits and had multi-hit efforts in 11 of 28 games, including a four-hit, five-RBI game on May 7 at Houston in which he hit his first career grand slam. He also had a walk-off RBI on May 26 vs. the Yankees in the 10th inning to mark the Royals’ first walk-off win vs. New York since 2000. This is Merrifield’s third career Royals Player of the Month Award, including last June and August.

Diekman, 32, led the Royals (min. 10.0 IP) with a 2.25 ERA (3 ER in 12.0 IP) in a team-high-tying 12 appearances in May. He struck out 22 batters in just 12.0 innings, good for a 16.50 K/9, which ranked third in the American League (min. 10.0 IP). He held opponents to a .103 average (4-for-39), tied for third best in the league. Diekman also recorded a team-high five holds, two of which came in one-run wins. After signing a one-year contract with Kansas City in February, this is Diekman’s first Royals Pitcher of the Month Award.