San Diego Padres’ Christian Villanueva Makes MLB Team of the Month For April
Credit: USA Today Sports
The MLB Team of the Month was released for the first month of the 2018 season this Tuesday, and it included players like Miguel Cabrera, Mike Trout, and Mookie Betts.
The San Diego Padres are off to a horrendous start to the year with an 11-20 record, but did manage to get a player in the Team of the Month due to his tremendous start to 2018.
Christian Villanueva made the Team of the Month at third base with his .321 BA, eight home runs, and 19 RBI.
His batting average was the best of any third baseman that plays consistently, and his home runs and RBI were on par with Mike Moustakas of the Kansas City Royals. His OBP was not on par with players like Kris Bryant or Jose Ramirez, but was level with Nolan Arenado at .411.
The 26-year-old rookie is also giving a run at the National League Rookie of the Year award currently with the best batting average of any NL rookie.
Villanueva also has the most home runs and RBI of any rookie in MLB and is tied for the second-most hits of any rookie with the Reds’ Jesse Winker, and just behind the Marlins’ Brian Anderson.
Have a month! 💪🔥 pic.twitter.com/oOfIvE0vgv
— MLB (@MLB) May 1, 2018
Villanueva’s progression has been exciting to see and gives hope to the current season, which does not seem to have a lot to offer. The Mexican infielder will surely make the Team of the Month multiple times this year if he can stay consistent with his production.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.