Jayson Werth of the Nationals barely beats out Jose Abreu of the White Sox for the July player of the month honors. While Abreu posted a much higher batting average, Werth beat him in both OBP and slugging percentage. In fewer plate appearances, Werth scored more runs and drove in more as well. It was a good month for the Nationals, as Denard Span was second in OBP and Anthony Rendon led the majors in runs scored.

It was not much of a home run month, as eight led the majors. Anthony Rizzo, Carlos Santana and Chris Carter each reached that number, Carter the best player of the month candidate among them. Worth, however, is just near the top in every dimension, so Jayson Werth wins the Baseball Musings Offensive Player of the Month for July 2014.

Select a pitcher is difficult, as five hurlers posted ERAs at 1.10 or lower. Chris Sale and Jon Lester were both under 1.00, with high K rates and extremely low walk rates. Neither threw that many innings, however. Clayton Kershaw came in with a 1.07 ERA in 42 innings. He beats Tyson Ross in walk rate, but Ross in his 41 innings had a better K and home run rate.

In between those two groups is Sonny Gray, who won all five of his starts, but with the lowest K rate and highest walk rate of the bunch. Decisions, decisions. Cy Young Tracker points have Kershaw and Ross tied, so we’ll see if the actual award goes to one of those two.

I’m going with Chris Sale. He struck out 38 in 31 2/3 innings without allowing a home run and walking just three (he did hit two batters). He’s the Kershaw of the AL, with an injury likely keeping him from beating Felix Hernandez for the Cy Young. Chris Sale is the Baseball Musings Pitcher of the Month for July 2014.