The best offensive player of the month for August 2023 turned out to be an easy choice. Mookie Betts of the Dodgers won the average triple crown leading the majors in Batting Average, On Base Average, and Slugging Percentage with a .455/.516/.839 slash line. His eleven home runs and 35 runs scored also led the majors, while finishing second in RBI with 30. There were a number of outstanding months. Julio Rodriguez of the Mariners hit .429 in August. It’s rare to have a batter hit .400 over an entire month, but two players accomplished the feat. Bryce Harper of the Phillies, Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers, and Marcell Ozuna of the Braves also deserve mention. Congratulations to Mookie Betts on winning the Baseball Musings Offensive Player of the Month Award for August 2023!

The Royals switched Cole Ragans to a starter on July 15th. He’s been outstanding since then, and posted the lowest ERA in the majors in the month of August, 1.72. All three true outcomes were great as he stuck out 53, walked nine and allowed just one home run in 36 2/3 innings, helping him to a 3-1 record. Only Freddy Peralta of the Brewers owned a higher K rate at 13.80 per nine. Peralta only pitched 30 innings in his five starts, but his 2.10 ERA was good for a 5-0 record.

Charlie Morton of the Braves came in second in ERA at 1.91 and was the only pitcher with at least 25 innings to allow no home runs in the month. He pitched 28 1/3 innings for a 4-1 record.

Framber Valdez and Sandy Alcantara worked the most, with 41 2/3 innings and 41 1/3 innings respectively. With higher ERAs they don’t really qualify for the pitcher of the month honors. In third place, however, stands Sonny Gray with 39 2/3 innings in six starts and a 2.04 ERA. Gray’s three true outcomes were good, but not quite as good as Ragans.

In a nice moment for the Royals, Cole Ragans wins the Baseball Musings Pitcher of the Month Award for August 2023. Congratulations!