New York, NY, August 4, 2021 — Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) today announced the Player and Pitcher of the Month Award winners for July in each of the 14 leagues in Major League Baseball’s player development system.

Double-A Central

Northwest Arkansas Naturals catcher MJ Melendez led the league in runs (28), home runs (12), RBI (29), total bases (80), slugging percentage (.741) and OPS (1.152). He was second in hits (36) and fifth in average (.333). He recorded 11 multi-hit games and did not go more than three games without a homer in July. Melendez, 22, was selected by Kansas City in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft out of Westminster Christian Academy in Miami, Florida.

High-A Central

Quad Cities River Bandits second baseman Michael Massey led the league in runs (25) and total bases (67) and was second in RBI (28), doubles (nine), slugging percentage (.691), OPS (1.070). He finished third in home runs (eight), hits (32) and average (.330). He homered three times July 14 at Beloit and recorded nine multi-hit games, including three three-hit games and a four-hit game. Massey, 23, was selected by Kansas City in the fourth round of the 2019 MLB Draft out of the University of Illinois.

Arizona Complex League

Royals Gold right-hander Heribert Garcia went 1-1 with a 2.95 ERA in five appearances (three starts). He struck out 25 and walked five while holding opponents to a .213 average. Garcia, 21, was signed by Kansas City as an International Free Agent out of Bolivar, Venezuela, on March 31, 2018.