Redleg Nation would like to congratulate our Player of the Month for April, Brandon Phillips.
Despite missing a few games with a thumb injury, Brandon Phillips rebounded from a miserable April to post a fantastic May. For the month, everyone’s favorite second baseman batted .352 with an on-base percentage of .392, while slugging .682. Phillips led the Reds with 29 RBI in May, 12 more than his closest competitor (Jay Bruce; Phillips trailed only Prince Fielder for the National League’s highest total). BP was also second on the Reds with 7 homers, in addition to 4 doubles and two triples in 22 games.
All in all, a great month; frankly, I don’t know if the Reds could have emerged from May with a winning record without this performance by Phillips. Congratulations, BP!
Others receiving votes:
—Francisco Cordero: CoCo had an outstanding month, converting all 6 of his save opportunities with a 0.75 ERA. He struck out a hitter per inning, while walking only three. In the NL, only the ageless Trevor Hoffman had more saves with a better ERA.
—Joey Votto: April’s RN Player of the Month would have likely repeated in May if it weren’t for the ongoing problems that caused Votto to play only 17 games. Look at these numbers: .378 batting average, .541 OBP, .733 SLG. Wow. Votto also hit 5 HR and drove in 13. Get well soon, Joey!
—Johnny Cueto: Cueto has emerged as the Reds ace early in 2009, and he was sensational in May (if not quite as good as he was in April). Cueto went 3-2 in the month with a 2.72 ERA. He struck out 30 and walked 12 in 43 innings pitched (the most on the team).
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April 2009 Player of the Month: Joey Votto