Jason Kipnis named American League Player of the Month for May

Jason Kipnis was incredible during May, batting .429/.511/.706, for an OPS of 1.217 and a wRC+ of 241. He led the American League in all of those categories, as well as in plate appearances, batting leadoff for a team that didn't get many days off and eventually started to score some runs. His counting stats included more hits, doubles, extra-base hits, and times on base than have been seen in years. Justice was done today, as Kipnis was named AL Player of the Month. (Bryce Harper of the Nationals took the NL honor.)

This is Kipnis' second Player of the Month Award.

Tribe players who've won this particular piece of hardware during the 2000s:

• Jason Kipnis for May of 2015
• Jason Kipnis for June of 2013
• Shin-Soo Choo for September of 2008
• Travis Hafner for August of 2006
• Travis Hafner for June of 2005
• Jim Thome for July of 2001

Kipnis is only 4th in the second baseman voting for the AL All-Star team, and has no chance of moving into 1st. If he can play even average baseball in June though, he's almost certain to be chosen for the team by his fellow players or Kansas City manager Ned Yost.