August players of the month
Hitter of the month:
CF – Abraham Almonte
August totals: 288/312/411 – 2 HR, 3 2B, 7 RBI, 9 R
If there was a month where the entire team contributed, and no one stood out, it would be August 2014. While newcomer Yangervis Solarte was solid and Alexi Amarista posted one of the better months of his career, the nod here goes to one of the newest Padres. Since coming over from Seattle, the center fielder has hit consistently, posting a 4-hit game and a trio of 2-hit games. There is still room to grow (too many K’s and too few BB’s) but there’s little doubt the 25-year-old has been better than he was advertised in the Chris Denorfia deal. He’s also been better than the guy he was traded for, by the way.
Pitcher of the month:
LHP – Eric Stults
August totals: 3-2, 2.52 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 35.2 IP, 5.55 K/9, 3 HR allowed
You have to admit you did not see this coming. The veteran left-hander sported an ERA over 6 in the month of June while taking a big goose-egg in the win column (0-6). He gradually got better in July and was startlingly good in the dog days of summer, leading the team in nearly every pitching category for the month (yes, better than Ross). The most amazing part of Stults’ success is the fact he never strikes anyone out. His k/9 rate is easily the lowest on the staff but he is benefitting from keeping the ball in the yard, only surrendering 3 long balls in August, easily his best month of the year. With all the young arms in the system, it would seem this will be the last time Stults wins this award for the Friars.
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