The 4 Most Outstanding MLB Players in May 2024

The first two months of the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) season have provided some incredible moments, intriguing storylines, and surprises. The strength of the American League (AL) Central, in particular, the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians, and the disappointing start for the Houston Astros were among the biggest surprises through the first quarter of the season.

Many players have also had standout seasons. Here's a look at four of the hottest hitters and pitchers in May.

1. Aaron Judge (AL Player of the Month)

Yankees slugger Aaron Judge was the best hitter in the AL in May. The 6-foot-7, 282-pound outfielder won AL Player of the Month for the seventh time in his career after recording 14 home runs, 27 RBI, and a .361 batting average in 28 games. He was the first player in team history to hit at least 14 home runs and 12 doubles in a month. Judge also won the award in May 2023 and won three times in 2022.

Judge is a five-time All-Star and won AL MVP in 2022.

2. Bryce Harper (NL Player of the Month)

Bryce Harper was the top hitter in the National League (NL) in May, hitting .313 to go along with seven home runs and 24 RBI in 26 games. The Philadelphia Phillies outfielder and two-time NL MVP led all NL players in May in OPS (.990) and RBIs (24) and was tied for first in home runs. Harper last won NL Player of the Month in April 2016 with the Washington Nationals. He also won in May 2015.

3. Luis Gil (AL Pitcher of the Month)

Luis Gil, a right-handed pitcher with the Yankees, won his first career AL Pitcher of the Month award in May. The 26-year-old also won AL Rookie of the Month. Gil started six games for New York in May and was a perfect 6-0 with a 0.70 earned run average (ERA) and 44 strikeouts.

4. Chris Sale (NL Pitcher of the Month)

Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale, acquired last offseason from the Boston Red Sox, is off to a great start in his first season in the NL. He earned NL Pitcher of the Month honors in May after going 5-0 with a 0.56 ERA and 45 strikeouts in five starts. Sale, who pitched the first 14 seasons of his career in the AL, had the lowest ERA for an NL Pitcher of the Month winner since Pablo Lopez (0.39 ERA) in April 2022.

Sale won AL Pitcher of the Month in July 2018, June 2018, June 2015, and May 2012.