Red Sox' Rafael Devers and Pirates' Josh Bell Named MLB Players of the Month for May
By Adam Weinrib
See, kids? All it takes is a near-flawless month as part of a breakout season to earn MLB hardware. You, too, can get coronated!
May's Players of the Month certainly share a lot in common -- Josh Bell and Rafael Devers have both put their stamp on 2019 in powerful fashion, after losing a smidge of their former top prospect shine during a few solid, if unspectacular, years in the game.
Congrats to Rafael Devers #RedSox AL Player of May and Josh Bell #Pirates NL Player of May
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) June 3, 2019
Devers had previously been known for rising to the occasion (famously tagging May's Reliever of the Month Aroldis Chapman in his rookie campaign, as well as Justin Verlander to clinch last year's ALCS). Bell, on the other hand, wasn't known for much of anything, other than scuffling in the power department, failing to utilize his massive frame.
Josh Bell hitting .345, 18 HR, 51 RBI at the season one-third point
— Joe Block (@joe_block) May 29, 2019
2019's been a different story, though, typified by this month of action. Devers hit .351 with eight homers in May (his sum total for the entire year), while Bell posted the most total bases in a month (93) since Willie Mays in 1958. That is: Good.
Rafael Devers named AL Player of the Month for May while Michael Chavis earned AL Rookie of the Month honors.
— Jen McCaffrey (@jcmccaffrey) June 3, 2019
Devers:
.351 avg., 1.021 OPS, seven doubles, one triple, eight homers, 24 RBIs in 26 games
Chavis:
.248 avg., .788 OPS, one double, seven homers, 19 RBIs in 26 games
Next on the docket for both of these studs? Their first All-Star appearance in Cleveland. These two monsters seem like likely starters in their respective leagues.