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MLB monthly awards: Schwarber owns June, J-Rod is top rookie again

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Major League Baseball handed out its awards for June on Saturday. Here's a look at the honorees.

Players of the Month

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Houston Astros designated hitter/outfielder Yordan Alvarez, who won Player of the Week earlier in June, was named AL Player of the Month. The 25-year-old hit a blistering .418/.510/.835 over 23 games with nine homers, 28 RBIs, 19 runs scored, and as many walks (13) as strikeouts.

Kyle Schwarber just loves June. The Philadelphia Phillies slugger took home NL Player of the Month honors, marking the second consecutive June he's won this award. Schwarber's 12 homers led all players. Overall, he hit .272/.385/.680 with a 189 OPS+, 27 RBIs, and a pair of multi-homer games. Schwarber is the first Phillies player to win this honor in any month since Dom Brown in May 2013.

Pitchers of the Month

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The American League's top pitcher was Chicago White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease. Just one of the 11 runs Cease allowed in June was earned, which gave him a sparkling 0.33 ERA to go along with a 1.21 WHIP, 45 strikeouts, and one home run allowed over five starts. He had a pair of double-digit strikeout outings, including a career-high 13 Ks in seven innings on June 26.

Sandy Alcantara became the first Miami Marlins pitcher to win NL Pitcher of the Month since Jose Fernandez in April 2014. The 26-year-old right-hander posted a 1.89 ERA and 0.88 WHIP with 34 strikeouts and only eight walks. He pitched at least seven innings in all six of his starts, including a complete-game victory on June 29, and limited opponents to a meager .199 average with only two homers in 47 2/3 innings.

Rookies of the Month

For the second consecutive month, Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez is the AL's top rookie. Rodriguez followed up his award-winning May with an even better June, hitting .280/.361/.542 with seven homers, 14 extra-base hits, 16 RBIs, 22 runs scored, and five of his AL-leading 19 stolen bases. The 21-year-old is the first Mariners rookie to earn this distinction in consecutive months since Ichiro Suzuki in 2001.

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Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris II was named NL Rookie of the Month in his first full month as a big leaguer. Harris, who was only called up on May 28, grabbed hold of a starting spot in Atlanta's outfield by hitting .347/.371/.574 with four homers, 13 extra-base hits, 16 RBIs, and four stolen bases. He also had a 13-game hitting streak and hit safely in all but four of his 27 contests.

Relievers of the Month

Cleveland Guardians reliever Emmanuel Clase was named AL Reliever of the Month, the second time he's claimed the honor. The 24-year-old was untouchable, notching 11 saves while not allowing a run or walking a batter in 15 appearances. His remarkable month also included 16 strikeouts and an opponent slash line of .137/.137/.157.

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New York Mets flamethrower Edwin Diaz added to his trophy collection by claiming NL Reliever of the Month honors. Diaz only threw 9 2/3 innings in June but dominated in the short span, collecting five saves with a 0.93 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 21 strikeouts, and only one walk in 10 outings. This is Diaz's sixth career Reliever of the Month distinction, breaking a tie with Josh Hader for the most all time. He won his first five in the AL with the Mariners.

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