Alcides Escobar Flips Switch

Alcides Escobar of the Kansas City Royals appears to be taking the next step in his career by elevating his play during the 2015 Playoffs. He is following the path blazed by Lorenzo Cain in 2014 when he emerged as a budding super star. Escobar has found his comfort zone in the lead off spot and his aggressive approach helped propel the team into the World Series. 

The talented shortstop spent the majority of 2014 batting ninth but after initial success started to struggle as he went 56 for 203, .243/.272/.335 with 1 HR, 20 RBI, 23 R, 7 SB. Moving to the eighth spot produced much better results as he hit 59 for 179, .330/.366/.425 with 1 HR, 23 RBI, 30 R, 15 SB. Although it was a much smaller sample size his greatest success was in the lead off spot hitting 25 for 69, .362/.397/.478 with 1 HR, 4 RBI, 9 R, 1 SB. That success prompted a more permanent move up top in 2015.

The production in the top spot slipped for Escobar slipped during the 2015 regular season as he went 142 for 549, .259/.296/.322 with 3 HR, 42 RBI, 74 R, 16 SB. Yet when the Royals reached the playoffs he took it up a notch in the Division Series against the Houston Astros hitting 6 for 21, .286/.318/.429 with 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3 R, 0 SB. The flip switched in the Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays as he hit 11 for 23, .478/.481/.652 with 0 HR, 5 RBI, 6 R, 0 SB to earn the ALCS MVP. Now the Royals are in the World Series with a 2-0 lead over the New York Mets and Escobar has gone 3 for 11 or .273 with an inside the park home run to his credit. The team heads east to New York as he will set the table for a line up that has wholly bought into the teachings of hitting coach Dale Sveum. 

Royals Unfinished Business

I noticed during the season that the 2015 Kansas City Royals were following parallels from the past of one of my other sports passions the University of Nebraska football team. The 1994 Huskers had made "Unfinished Business" their mantra after ending their previous season in a close loss to Florida State in a controversy laden bowl game. Ned Yost has mentioned the Royals feel the same after coming so close reaching game seven of the 2014 World Series against the San Francisco Giants.

The 1994 Huskers went on to an undefeated season while winning the first of three national championships over a four year span. The Royals have responded this season by dominating from the start while winning the American League Central with the best record in the American League. Returning to the World Series was a major next step. Now four wins are needed against the New York Mets to finish their business. 

Royals Back to Back World Series Trips

The Kansas City Royals are returning to the World Series. A home field victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in game six was the clincher. It was a matter of doing just enough to eek it out. Ventura did enough to turn it over to the bull pen. Davis had control issues after the rain delay but did enough to work out of the jam. Solo shots by Zobrist and Moose were so valuable and Cain reaching down for an extra gear added to his playoff heroics. I'll give credit to David Price for making adjustments to keep the Royals from blowing it wide open. Also have to acknowledge that Jose Bautista had two two impressive home runs that momentarily deflated the hopes of all in Royal blue. Celebrate tonight Royals as the defending American League Champions. The Mets will only have one extra day of rest.

Tanner Banks Pioneer League PiOW 083115 to 090715

Tanner Banks of the Great Falls Voyagers was selected the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he was 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 HBP, 0 BB and 5 K. This season the LHP is 5-5, 2.51 ERA, 38 K, 1.02 WHIP, .248 BAA in 75.1 IP over 14 games at Great Falls and 0-0, 4.09 ERA, 5 K, 1.55 WHIP, .304 BAA, 1 SV in 11.0 IP over 8 games at Class A Kannapolis. Great Falls is a Rookie team of the Chicago White Sox. Banks also won the award for the week of July 13. He was originally drafted by the White Sox in the 18th round in 2014. Banks will be 24 on October 24.

Jonathan Padilla Appalachian League PiOW 083115 to 090715

Jonathan Padilla of the Pulaski Yankees was selected the Appalachian League Pitcher of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he was 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 HBP, 0 BB and 3 K. This season he was 2-1, 2.40 ERA, 25 K, 1.27 WHIP, .254 BAA in 30.0 IP over 8 games at Pulaski with 4 GS and 3-0, 1.64 ERA, 25 K, 0.64 WHIP, .175 BAA in 22.0 IP over 4 games at Rookie DSL (Dominican Summer League). Pulaski is a Rookie team of the New York Yankees. He originally signed with the Yankees in 2013 as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Padilla turned 22 on March 30.

Tyler Davis Northwest League PiOW 083115 to 090715

Tyler Davis of the Spokane Indians was selected the Northwest League Pitcher of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he was 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 HBP, 4 BB and 7 K. This season the RHP was 3-1, 5.09 ERA, 30 K, 1.50 WHIP, .293 BAA in 35.1 IP over 16 games with 2 GS. Spokane is the Class A short season team of the Texas Rangers. He was originally drafted by the Rangers in the 23rd round in 2015. Davis will be 23 on January 5th.

Kolton Mahoney New York-Penn League PiOW 083115 to 090715

Kolton Mahoney of the Staten Island Yankees was selected the New York-Penn League Pitcher of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he was 1-0, 0.64 ERA, 2 GS, 14.0 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 2 HBP, 0 BB and 15 K. This season the RHP was 3-2, 2.29 ERA, 50 K, 1.09 WHIP, .236 BAA in 55.0 IP over 12 games with 10 GS. Staten Island is the Class A short season team of the New York Yankees. He was originally drafted by the Yankees in the 16th round in 2015. Mahoney turned 23 on May 20.

Justin Kamplain South Atlantic League PiOW 083115 to 090715

Justin Kamplain of the Charleston RiverDogs was selected the South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he was 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 GS, 12.1 IP, 9 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 HBP, 0 BB and 11 K. This season the LHP is 5-14, 4.29 ERA, 119 K, 1.40 WHIP, .288 BAA in 136.1 IP over 26 games. Charleston is the Class A team of the New York Yankees. He was originally drafted by the Yankees in the 18th round in 2014. Kamplain will be 23 on February 13.

Dean Deetz Midwest League PiOW 083115 to 090715

Dean Deetz of the Quad Cities River Bandits was selected the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he was 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 GS, 11.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 HBP, 2 BB and 3 K. This season the RHP is 5-1, 0.76 ERA, 29 K, 0.85 WHIP, .136 BAA in 35.1 IP over 7 games with 6 GS at Quad Cities and 4-2, 2.86 ERA, 21 K, 1.13 WHIP, .208 BAA in 28.1 IP over 7 games with 5 GS at Class A short season Tri-City. Quad Cities is the Class A team of the Houston Astros. He was originally drafted by the Astros in the 11th round in 2014. Deetz will be 22 on November 29.

Seth Varner Florida State League PiOW 083115 to 090715

Seth Varner of the Daytona Tortugas was selected the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he was 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 GS, 12.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 HBP, 0 BB and 13 K. This season the LHP 4-4, 2.97 ERA, 57 K, 0.99 WHIP, .233 BAA in 60.2 IP over 13 games at Daytona with 9 GS and 7-4, 2.88 ERA, 77 K, 1.12 WHIP, .269 BAA in 78.0 IP over 14 games at Class A Dayton. Daytona is the Class A Advanced team of the Cincinnati Reds. He was originally drafted by the Reds in the 10th round in 2014. Varner will be 24 on January 27.

Brad Markey Carolina League PiOW 083115 to 090715

Brad Markey of the Myrtle Beach Pelicans was selected the Carolina League Pitcher of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he was 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 GS, 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 HBP, 0 BB and 6 K. This season the RHP was 7-0, 1.15 ERA, 40 K, 0.75 WHIP, .186 BAA in 55.0 IP over 9 games at Myrtle Beach with 8 GS and 0-0, 2.48 ERA, 23 K, 0.97 WHIP, .222 BAA, 2 SV in 29.0 IP over 12 games at Class A Sound Bend with 1 GS. Myrtle Beach is the Class A Advanced team of the Chicago Cubs. He was originally drafted by the Cubs in the 19th round in 2014. Markey turned 23 on March 3rd.

Jason Forjet California League PiOW 083115 to 090715

Jason Forjet of the San Jose Giants was selected the California League Pitcher of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he was 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 GS, 8.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 HBP, 0 BB and 10 K. This season the RHP was 7-4, 2.67 ERA, 86 K, 1.11 WHIP, .242 BAA in 94.1 IP over 23 games with 14 GS. San Jose is the Class A Advanced team of the San Francisco Giants. He was originally drafted by the Giants in the 31st round in 2012. Forjet will be 26 on January 4th.

Sean Manaea Texas League PiOW 083115 to 090615

Sean Manaea of the Midland RockHounds was selected the Texas League Pitcher of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 6, 2015. For the week he was 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 GS, 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 HBP, 0 BB and 13 K. This season the LHP is 6-0, 1.90 ERA, 51 K, 1.15 WHIP, .218 BAA in 42.2 IP over 7 games at Midland, 0-1, 5.14 ERA, 11 K, 2.14 WHIP, .310 BAA in 7.0 IP over 2 games at Double A NW Arkansas, 1-0, 3.66 ERA, 22 K, 1.32 WHIP, .297 BAA in 19.2 IP over 4 games at Class A Advanced Wilmington and 0-0, 1.80 ERA, 6 K, 0.60 WHIP, .118 BAA in 5.0 IP in 1 game at Rookie Arizona. Midland is the Double A team of the Oakland Athletics. Manaea also won the award for the week of July 27. He was originally drafted by the Royals with the 34th pick of the first round in 2013 and was traded to the Athletics in July 2015. Manaea turned 23 on February 1st.

Cody Reed Southern League PiOW 083115 to 090715

Cody Reed of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos was selected the Southern League Pitcher of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he was 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 GS, 14.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 HBP, 2 BB and 17 K.  This season the LHP is 6-2, 2.17 ERA, 60 K, 1.11 WHIP, .220 BAA in 49.2 IP over 8 games at Pensacola, 2-2, 3.45 ERA, 19 K, 1.19 WHIP, .239 BAA in 28.2 IP over 5 games at Double A NW Arkansas and 5-5, 2.14 ERA, 65 K, 1.19 WHIP, .243 BAA, 1 SV in 67.1 IP over 13 games at Class A Advanced Wilmington. Pensacola is the Double A team of the Cincinnati Reds. Reed had already won the award for the week of  August 3 and for the week of July 20 in the Texas League. He was originally drafted by the Royals in the second round in 2013 and traded to the Reds on July 26, 2015. Reed turned 22 on April 15 

Austin Voth Eastern League PiOW 083115 to 090715

Austin Voth of the Harrisburg Senators was selected the Eastern League Pitcher of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he was 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 GS, 13.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 0 HBP, 2 BB and 11 K. This season the RHP is 6-7, 2.92 ERA, 148 K, 1.11 WHIP, .230 BAA in 157.1 IP over 28 games. Harrisburg is the Double A team of the Washington Nationals. He was originally drafted by the Nationals in the fifth round in 2013. Voth turned 23 on June 26.

Clayton Blackburn Pacific Coast League PiOW 083115 to 090715

Clayton Blackburn of the Sacramento River Cats was selected the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he was 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 GS, 14.1 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 HR, 1 HBP, 1 BB and 14 K. This season the RHP was 10-4, 2.85 ERA, 99 K, 1.29 WHIP, .269 BAA in 123.0 IP over 23 games with 20 GS. Sacramento is the Triple A team of the San Francisco Giants. He was originally drafted by the Giants in the 16th round in 2011. Blackburn will be 23 on January 6th.

Bradin Hagens International League PiOW 083115 to 090715

Bradin Hagens of the Durham Bulls was selected the International League Pitcher of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he was 2-0, 0.66 ERA, 2 GS, 13.2 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 1 HBP, 3 BB and 1 K. This season the RHP was 5-5, 2.67 ERA, 50 K, 1.12 WHIP, .206 BAA in 70.2 IP over 14 games at Durham with 12 GS and 4-5, 3.86 ERA, 46 K, 1.43 WHIP, .271 BAA in 63.0 IP over 16 games at Double A Montgomery with 8 GS. Durham is the Triple A team of the Tampa Bay Rays. He was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks in the sixth round in 2009. Hagens turned 26 on May 12.

Jordan Paroubeck Pioneer League POW 083115 to 090715

Jordan Paroubeck of the Ogden Raptors was selected the Pioneer League Player of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he hit 14 for 28, .500/.576/.929 with 3 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 8 R, 0 SB and 5 BB in 7 games. This season the outfielder hit .379/.455/.621 with 4 HR, 20 RBI, 21 R, 1 SB in 22 games at Ogden and .245/.327/.429 with 1 HR, 8 RBI, 11 R, 0 SB in 13 games at Rookie Arizona. Odgen is a Rookie team of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was originally drafted by the Padres in the second round in 2013, was traded to the Braves in May 2015 and traded to the Dodgers in July 2015. Paroubeck will be 21 on November 2nd.

Kevin Kaczmarski Appalachian League POW 083115 to 090715

Kevin Kaczmarski of the Kingsport Mets was selected the Appalachian League Player of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he hit 5 for 8, .625/.625/1.250 with 3 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 1 R, 0 SB and 0 BB in 2 games. This season the outfielder hit .355/.415/.512 with 4 HR, 34 RBI, 47 R, 20 SB in 64 games. Kingsport is a Rookie team of the New York Mets. He was originally drafted by the Mets in the ninth round in 2015. Kaczmarski will be 24 on December 31.

Christopher Shaw Northwest League POW 083115 to 090715

Christopher Shaw of the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes was selected the Northwest League Player of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he hit 8 for 23, .348/.375/.870 with 3 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R, 0 SB and 1 BB in 6 games. This season the first baseman hit .287/.360/.551 with 12 HR, 30 RBI, 22 R, 0 SB in 46 games. Salem-Keizer is the Class A short season team of the San Francisco Giants. He was originally drafted by the Giants with the 31st pick of the first round in 2015. Shaw turned 22 on October 20.

RJ Dennard New York-Penn League POW 083115 to 090715

R.J. Dennard of the State Collage Spikes was selected the New York-Penn League Player of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he hit 11 for 23, .478/.538/.870 with 3 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 0 SB and 3 BB in 6 games. This season the first baseman hit .250/.336/.363 with 2 HR, 15 RBI, 11 R, 0 SB in 42 games. State College is the Class A short season team of the St Louis Cardinals. He was originally drafted by the Cardinals in the 39th round in 2015. Dennard will be 23 on October 27.

Austin Bailey South Atlantic League POW 083115 to 090715

Austin Bailey of the Lexington Legends was selected the South Atlantic League Player of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he hit 12 for 28, .429/.529/.821 with 4 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 6 R, 0 SB and 4 BB in 7 games. This season the shortstop hit .318/.387/.527 with 3 HR, 17 RBI, 19 R, 3 SB in 30 games at Lexington and .308/.353/.438 with 3 HR, 19 RBI, 21 R, 4 SB in 35 games at Rookie Burlington. Lexington is the Class A team of the Kansas City Royals. He was originally drafted by the Royals in the 21st round in 2015. Bailey turned 23 on July 3rd.

Franmil Reyes Midwest League POW 083115 to 090715

Franmil Reyes of the Fort Wayne TinCaps was selected the Midwest League Player of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he hit 14 for 25, .560/.607/.960 with 4 2B, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 8 R, 0 SB and 3 BB in 6 games. This season the outfielder hit .255/.320/.393 with 8 HR, 62 RBI, 52 R, 10 SB in 123 games. Fort Wayne is the Class A team of the San Diego Padres. He originally signed with the Padres in 2011 as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Reyes turned 20 on July 7th. 

Jared Reaves Florida State League POW 083115 to 090715

Jared Reaves of the Lakeland Flying Tigers was selected the Florida State League Player of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he hit 9 for 22, .409/.519/.727 with 5 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 4 R, 0 SB and 5 BB in 7 games. This season the shortstop hit .253/.309/.337 with 0 HR, 16 RBI, 16 R, 0 SB in 53 games at Lakeland and .269/.345/.385 with 0 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 1 SB in 9 games at Double A Erie. Lakeland is the Class A Advanced team of the Detroit Tigers. He was originally drafted by the Tigers in the 25th round in 2012. Reaves turned 25 on July 20.

Carlos Franco Carolina League POW 083115 to 090715

Carlos Franco of the Carolina Mudcats was selected the Carolina League Player of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he hit 9 for 25, .360/.500/.680 with 2 2B, 2 HR, 9 RBI, 5 R, 0 SB and 7 BB in 7 games. This season the third baseman hit .254/.347/.403 with 11 HR, 62 RBI, 54 R, 5 SB in 134 games. Carolina is the Class A Advanced team of the Atlanta Braves. He originally signed with the Braves in 2009 as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Franco will be 24 on December 20.

Alex Verdugo California League POW 083115 to 090715

Alex Verdugo of the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes was selected the California League Player of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he hit 15 for 26, .577/.586/.962 with 4 2B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 9 R, 0 SB and 2 BB in 7 games. This season the outfielder hit .385/.406/.659 with 4 HR, 19 RBI, 20 R, 1 SB in 23 games at Rancho Cucamonga and .295/.325/.394 with 5 HR, 42 RBI, 50 R, 13 SB in 101 games at Class A Great Lakes. Rancho Cucamonga is the Class A Advanced team of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the second round in 2014. Verdugo turned 19 on May 15.

Renato Nunez Texas League POW 082415 to 083015

Renato Nunez of the Midland RockHounds was selected the Texas League Player of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 6, 2015. For the week he hit 11 for 27, .407/.448/.741 with 3 2B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 4 R, 0 SB and 1 BB in 6 games. This season the third baseman hit .278/.332/.480 with 18 HR, 61 RBI, 62 R, 1 SB in 93 games. Midland is the Double A team of the Oakland Athletics. He originally signed with the Athletics in 2010 as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela. Nunez turned 21 on April 4th. 

Ian Miller Southern League POW 083115 to 090715

Ian Miller of the Jackson Generals was selected the Southern League Player of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he hit 13 for 28, .464/.448/.643 with 3 2B, 1 3B, 5 RBI, 4 R, 4 SB and 0 BB in 6 games. This season the outfielder hit .254/.310/.320 with 0 HR, 23 RBI, 40 R, 29 SB in 87 games at Jackson and .296/.341/.352 with 0 HR, 6 RBI, 20 R, 21 SB in 39 games at Class A Advanced Bakersfield. Jackson is the Double A team of the Seattle Mariners. He was originally drafted by the Mariners in the 14th round in 2013. Miller will be 24 on February 21.

Manuel Margot Eastern League POW 083115 to 090715

Manuel Margot of the Portland Sea Dogs was selected the Eastern League Player of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he hit 15 for 34, .441/.447/.765 with 3 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 7 R, 3 SB and 2 BB in 8 games. This season the outfielder hit .271/.326/.419 with 3 HR, 33 RBI, 38 R, 19 SB in 64 games at Portland and .282/.321/.420 with 3 HR, 17 RBI, 35 R, 20 SB in 46 games at Class A Advanced Salem. Portland is the Double A team of the Boston Red Sox. He originally signed with the Red Sox in 2011 as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Margot turned 21 on September 28.

Matt Clark Pacific Coast League POW 083115 to 090715

Matt Clark of the Colorado Springs Sky Sox was selected the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he hit 12 for 25, .480/.581/.960 with 6 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R, 1 SB and 6 BB in 8 games. This season the first baseman hit .291/.367/.492 with 20 HR, 77 RBI, 70 R, 1 SB in 132 games. Colorado Springs is the Triple A team of the Milwaukee Brewers. He was originally drafted by the Padres in the 12th round in 2008. Clark will be 29 on December 10.

Ali Castillo International League POW 083115 to 090715

Ali Castillo of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders was selected the International League Player of the Week for the span of August 31, 2015 through September 7, 2015. For the week he hit 15 for 31, .484/.529/.710 with 7 2B, 8 RBI, 2 R, 4 SB and 3 BB in 7 games. This season the shortstop hit .367/.398/.468 with 0 HR, 13 RBI, 7 R, 4 SB in 20 games at SWB and .269/.320/.310 with 2 HR, 36 RBI, 31 R, 25 SB in 68 games at Double A Trenton. SWB is the Triple A team of the New York Yankees. He originally signed with the Yankees in 2007 as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela. Castillo turned 26 on June 19.

Royals await Wild Card Winner

The Kansas City Royals await the outcome of the American League Wild Card game between the Houston Astros and New York Yankees. The Royals fared the same against both teams in 2015 with a 2-4 record. The home record was 2-1 against both while they Royals were swept going 0-3 at both opposing team fields. That would point to another positive for the Royals gaining home field advantage in the playoffs. 

Francisco Lindor September 2015 AL Rookie of the Month

Francisco Lindor of the Cleveland Indians was selected the American League Rookie of the Month for September 2015. During the month the shortstop hit 38 for 105, .362/.395/.657 with 8 2B, 4 3B, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 17 R, 5 SB and 7 BB in 27 games. He split 2015 between Triple A Columbus and the Indians as he hit .284/.350/.402 with 2 HR, 22 RBI, 26 R, 9 SB in 59 games at Columbus and .313/.353/.482 with 12 HR, 51 RBI, 50 R, 12 SB in 99 games with the Indians. He was originally drafted by the Indians with the eighth pick of the first round in 2011. Lindor will be 22 on November 14.

Justin Bour September 2015 NL Rookie of the Month

Justin Bour of the Miami Marlins was selected the National League Rookie of the Month for September 2015. During the month the first baseman hit 29 for 100, .290/.321/.590 with 3 2B, 9 HR, 25 RBI, 14 R, 0 SB and 5 BB in 26 games. This season he hit .262/.321/.479 with 23 HR, 73 RBI, 42 R, 0 SB in 129 games. Over two MLB seasons with the Marlins he has hit .265/.327/.462 with 24 HR, 84 RBI, 52 R, 0 SB in 168 games. He was originally drafted by the Cubs in the 25th round in 2009 and was later drafted by the Marlins in the 2013 rule 5 draft. Bour turned 27 on May 28.

Cody Anderson September 2015 AL Pitcher of the Month

Cody Anderson of the Cleveland Indians was selected the American League Pitcher of the Month for September 2015. During the month the RHP was 5-0, 1.38 ERA, 20 K, 1.10 WHIP, .212 BAA in 39.0 IP over 6 games. He had split 2015 between Double A Akron, Triple A Columbus and the Indians. He was 3-2, 1.73 ERA, 36 K, 1.02 WHIP, .233 BAA in 52.0 Ip over 10 games at Akron, 1-1, 2.33 ERA, 18 K, 1.14 WHIP, .239 BAA in 19.1 IP over 3 games at Columbus as 7-3, 3.05 ERA, 44 K, 1.11 WHIP, .231 BAA in 91.1 IP over 15 games with the Indians. He was originally drafted by the Indians in the 14th round in 2011. Anderson turned 25 on September 14.

Jake Arrieta September 2015 NL Pitcher of the Month

Jake Arrieta of the Chicago Cubs was selected the National League Pitcher of the Month for September 2015. During the month the RHP was 4-0, 0.45 ERA, 39 K, 0.60 WHIP, .148 BAA in 40.0 IP over 5 games.  It was a repeat performance after winning the award in August. This season he is 22-6, 1.77 ERA, 236 K, 0.86 WHIP, .185 BAA in 229.0 IP over 33 games. Over six MLB seasons with the Cubs and Orioles he is 56-38, 3.70 ERA, 717 K, 1.18 WHIP, .226 BAA in 795.1 IP over 136 games with 130 GS. He was originally drafted by the Orioles in the fifth round in 2007 and was traded to the Cubs in 2013. Arrieta turned 29 on March 6th.

Shin Soo-Choo September 2015 AL Player of the Month

Shin Soo-Choo of the Texas Rangers was selected the American League Player of the Month for September 2015. During the month he hit 42 for 104, .404/.515/.625 with 6 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 26 R, 1 SB and 21 BB. This season the outfielder hit .276/.375/.463 with 22 HR, 82 RBI, 94 R, 4 SB in 149 games. Over 11 MLB seasons with the Rangers, Reds, Indians and Mariners he has hit .281/.382/.455 with 139 HR, 549 RBI, 649 R, 112 SB in 1125 games. He originally signed with the Mariners in 2000 as an amateur free agent out of South Korea. Choo turned 33 on July 13.

Nolan Arenado September 2015 NL Player of the Month

Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies was selected the National League Player of the Month for September 2015. During the month the outfielder hit 38 for 112, .339/.366/.705 with 8 2B, 11 HR, 32 RBI, 19 R, 1 SB and 7 BB. This season the third baseman is hitting .287/.323/.575 with 42 HR, 130 RBI, 97 R, 2 SB in 157 games. Over three MLB seasons with the Rockies he has hit .281/.318/.500 with 70 HR, 243 RBI, 204 R, 6 SB in 401 games. He was originally drafted by the Rockies in the second round in 2009. Arenado turned 24 on April 16.

Adrian Beltre AL Player of Week 092815 to 100415

Adrian Beltre of the Texas Rangers was selected the American League Player of the Week for the span of September 28, 2015 through October 4, 2015. For the week he hit 13 for 29, .448/.484/.793 with 4 2B, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 6 R, 0 SB and 2 BB. This season the third baseman hit .287/.334/.453 with 4 HR, 18 RBI, 83 R, 1 SB in 143 games. Over 18 MLB seasons with the Rangers, Red Sox, Mariners, and Dodgers he has hit .285/.337/.477 with 413 HR, 1467 RBI, 1339 R, 118 SB in 2567 games. He originally signed with the Dodgers in 1994 as ana amateur free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Beltre turned 36 on April 7th.

Max Scherzer NL Player of Week 092815 to 100415

Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals was selected the National League Player of the Week for the span of September 28, 2015 through October 4, 2015. He threw a no hitter against the Mets and for the week was 2-0, 0.53 ERA, 2 GS, 17.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 HR, 3 BB, 27 K, .038 BAA, 1 CG and 1 SHO.  This season the RHP was 14-12, 2.79 ERA, 276 K, 0.92 WHIP, .208 BAA in 228.2 IP over 33 games. Over eight MLB seasons with the Nationals, Tigers and Diamondbacks he is 105-62, 3.46 ERA, 1597 K, 1.17 WHIP, .237 BAA in 1468.0 IP over 240 games. Scherzer had also been the NL Pitcher of the Month in May and June. He was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks with the 11th pick of the first round in 2006, traded to the Tigers in 2009 and signed with the Nationals in 2015. Scherzer will be 31 on July 27.

Max Scherzer pitches no-hitter vs Mets 100315

Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals pitched a no-hitter in a 2-0 victory against the New York Mets on October 3, 2015. His line for the game was 9.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R. 0 ER, 0 BB, 17 K in 109 pitches. The Mets' Kevin Plawecki reached base on a throwing error in the sixth to keep it from being a perfect game. This season the RHP was 14-12, 2.79 ERA, 276 K, 0.92 WHIP, .208 BAA in 228.2 IP over 33 games. Over eight MLB seasons with the Nationals, Tigers and Diamondbacks he is 105-62, 3.46 ERA, 1597 K, 1.17 WHIP, .237 BAA in 1468.0 IP over 240 games. Scherzer had also thrown a no-hitter earlier in the season on June 20 against the Pirates. He was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks with the 11th pick of the first round in 2006, traded to the Tigers in 2009 and signed with the Nationals in 2015. Scherzer will be 31 on July 27.