Astros: Gerrit Cole and Yordan Alvarez bring home MLB monthly honors

The Astros’ Gerrit Cole and Yordan Alvarez have been awarded for the past month’s performances. A nice way to end the first half of the season.

Gerrit Cole “The Cole Train” was named AL Pitcher of the Month in June by MLB, as he’s been steamrolling hitters at the plate with his wizardry and 100 plus MPH fastball. “Air” Yordan Alvarez received much-deserved recognition as well, being named AL Rookie of the Month, and I think I know why.

Gerrit Cole is in his 2nd season with the Houston Astros and he’s turning heads, not only of fans but batters as well. He is marveling opposing offenses with double-digit strikeout games, jockeying for position for the MLB strikeout lead with Max Scherzer. Looking at his June numbers you can see why he was chosen.

Bursting onto the scene this season, it was a foregone conclusion that Alvarez would be called up. He rose so fast, he passed Kyle Tucker on the way up. He quickly made a name for himself picking up where he left off at AAA Round Rock, homering in four of his first five games. Not only was he hitting the long ball, but getting base hits and showing patience at the plate drawing walks, helping a struggling Houston Astros offense.

In his first 16 games, he has 69 PA in those he has drawn 9 walks, 19 hits, 7 Home runs, 21 RBI, and with 4 doubles while hitting .317. The pace he is on is remarkable, just as remarkable as his disciple at the plate, even with a few strikeouts he has an eye for the ball.

Alvarez has more than the ability to hit the long ball, he also sports a nice cannon for an arm in left field. He has displayed that by throwing out an advancing runner to second base at home in Minute Maid Park. With all these intangible attributes to his game, the one that is most valuable is how easily he has fit into this clubhouse.

Alex Bregman even stated after one of his first four home runs, “This kid is good, he’s fun to watch, I can’t wait to see him when he gets to the plate.” AJ Hinch welcomes the boost he brings offensively and one of the lesser known stats in June. The Astros became the first team in MLB to field five Cuban born players on one team since the Big Red Machine Cincinnati Reds did the same in 1979.

Yordan Alvarez is fast becoming a household name alongside Gerrit Cole. Both of these players have one goal on their collective minds, get to the World Series. It’s easy to see their drive, with the results produced on the field. The Houston Astros will have Alvarez for a while and we can only hope that they lock up Gerrit Cole in the offseason, to keep this combination around for years to come.