International League Names Player of the Month
Published on August 1, 2018 under International League (IL1) News Release
The International League announced today that Lehigh Valley third baseman Mitch Walding has been named the League's Player of the Month for July. Along with winners from other leagues, Walding will be presented with an award from Minor League Baseball in recognition of his performance last month.
He didn't spend the entire month with the IronPigs, but during his time at Triple-A in July Mitch Walding hit .326 and led the International League with ten home runs, 21 runs scored, and 63 total bases. His hot hitting helped Lehigh Valley soar to the circuit's best record in July (19-8) and to open up a commanding 9.5-game lead in the IL North Division heading into August. Walding produced ten multi-hit games during July, including three in which he hit a pair of home runs. He was promoted to the Phillies for the third time this season in mid-July, seeing time in four games between July 22-24. After returning he put his power on display during the July 28 doubleheader against Columbus, as he crushed three three-run home runs to help sweep the Clippers. For the season, Walding leads the International League with a .536 slugging percentage and is tied for the lead in homers with 19. He is also 2nd in both walks (51) and runs scored (60). Walding is the third member of the IronPigs over the last three seasons to claim honors as IL Player of the Month, following pitchers Phil Klein (August 2016) and Tom Eshelman (May 2017).
25-year-old Mitch Walding is in his seventh season as a professional player since being selected by Philadelphia in the 5th round of the 2011 draft. This is his first season playing above the Double-A level. In 2017 he was an Eastern League All-Star and named the circuit's Player of the Month in June. He made his Major League debut earlier this season for the Phillies. Walding is a native of Lodi, California.
Mitch Walding, Lehigh Valley IronPigs Statistics (July 1-31, 2018)
PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS:
2018 International League Players of the Month:
April 2018 - Jose Osuna, 3B (Indianapolis)
May 2018 - Ronny Rodriguez, INF (Toledo)
June 2018 - Donny Roach, P (Charlotte)
International League Stories from August 1, 2018
- Indians Clip Columbus, Extend Division Lead - Indianapolis Indians
- Indianapolis Takes Series in Rubber-Match - Columbus Clippers
- Jansen, Davis Power Bisons to 3-2 Win in Game Two of Doubleheader - Buffalo Bisons
- O'Grady Saves the Day in 5-2 Bats Win - Louisville Bats
- Shepherd Drives Pawtucket to 8-1 Win in Syracuse - Pawtucket Red Sox
- McGowin Strong, But Chiefs Fall to PawSox Wednesday - Syracuse Mets
- Four-Run 4th Paces Wings Win - Rochester Red Wings
- Rochester Swats RailRiders, 6-2 - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Louisville Stars Defeat Hattiesburg Black Sox, 15-2 - Louisville Bats
- Pigs and Bisons Split Doubleheader - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Rain Postpones Stripers, Bulls Again Wednesday - Gwinnett Stripers
- Hens Playoff Tickets, Get 'Em Friday - Toledo Mud Hens
- SWB Game Notes - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
- Game Information: Indianapolis Indians (59-49) at Columbus Clippers (56-51) - Indianapolis Indians
- Red Wings, Twins Extend Player Development Contract - Rochester Red Wings
- #RedAlert: Get Mud Hens Playoff Tickets Now - Toledo Mud Hens
- Durham Bulls Game Notes - Wednesday, August 1, 2018 - Durham Bulls
- LHV Game Notes - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Louisville Bats Notes: August 1 - Louisville Bats
- Bisons Game Notes - Buffalo vs. Lehigh Valley, DH (5:35 p.m.) - Buffalo Bisons
- Jimenez Named White Sox Minor League Player of the Month for July - Charlotte Knights
- International League Names Player of the Month - IL1
- The Setup: Pigs and Bisons Set for Twin Bill - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
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