Tatis, Cronenworth earn monthly honors in the National League

On Wednesday, it was announced that a pair of Padres players would walk out of the month of August with awards to their name after helping the team become one of the hottest clubs in the majors.

26-year old Jake Cronenworth, whom the team acquired in a five-player trade involving LF Tommy Pham, was named the NL Rookie of the Month after becoming a two-way star for the 22-15 Friars. After making the final roster as a bench player, Cronenworth forced the team into giving him a starting role after making countless plays through the first half of this abbreviated season. Aside from the eye-popping defensive moves, he’s also slashed .355/.408/.613 with 14 extra-base hits, four home runs, and 16 RBIs in 28 games.

He’s also the first Padres rookie to earn a monthly award since Christian Villanueva in April 2018.

In much less surprising news, 21-year-old phenom Fernando Tatis Jr. has been named the NL’s Player of the Month.

This is Tatis’ first time taking home the award after hitting .313 in August with 11 home runs. As of right now, his 13 total home runs are tied for the league lead while his 33 RBIs are good first. El Nino’s selection is the first time a Padres player has won the honor since Wil Myers took it home in June of 2016.

Tatis made his biggest waves in August following his controversial (but not really) 3-0 grand slam against the Rangers on August 17. The team went on afterwards to set the MLB record with four-straight games with a grand slam