2 Dodgers Take Home MLB Awards for Dominant April Performances
The Dodgers might not have performed exceptionally as a team during the month of April. Many pieces were missing all throughout the month whether on the injured list or out on paternity leave. Still, at least 2 Dodger stars shined bright and are now taking home hardware for their big months.
Ace Clayton Kershaw has been named the NL Pitcher of the Month for March/April and outfielder James Outman has been named NL Rookie of the Month.
Kershaw turned back the clock in April, going 5-1 while posting a 1.89 ERA over 38 innings. He also struck out 41 batters and leads the NL with a 0.763 WHIP in his 6 starts. It's the first time Kershaw has taken home this award in seven years and the first time in his career that he's had 5 wins before May 1st.
He'll look to continue his dominance as he opens the series against the Padres in San Diego on Friday, a team he's owned over his Hall of Fame Career (2.03 ERA over 292 IP).
Outman burst onto the scene and immediately started proving detractors wrong. Over 29 games, the 25-year-old slashed .292/.376/.615 with 3 triples, 7 home runs, and 20 runs batted in. All of those numbers were at the top or near the top of the leaderboard among qualified rookie batters.
In terms of franchise records, Outman's 28 hits, 7 home runs, and 20 RBI are the most for a Dodgers rookie ever before the month of May.
