International League Player of the Month
Published on May 1, 2017 under International League (IL1) News Release
PATRICK LEONARD HONORED AS APRIL INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE PLAYER OF THE MONTH
The International League announced today that Durham third baseman Patrick Leonard has been named the League's Player of the Month for April. Along with winners from other leagues, Leonard will be presented with an award from Minor League Baseball in recognition of his performance last month.
Durham's Patrick Leonard led the International League over the first month of the 2017 campaign with a .412 batting average, 35 hits, 17 RBI, 17 runs scored, and a .474 on-base percentage. No other qualifying hitter in the League is currently within 50 points of Leonard's average, which has been sky-high since his four-hit, four-RBI performance on Opening Day at Gwinnett. That was the first of ten multi-hit games for Leonard in April, peaking with a five-hit evening this past Thursday when Durham crushed Syracuse 13-3. He's either scored or driven in a run in all but four of the 22 games he's played in so far this season. He's been dynamite in clutch situations, going 10-23 (.435) with runners on base and two outs. Due in large part to Leonard's outstanding month at the plate, Durham owns the League's best record so far at 16-7. Leonard becomes the first member of the Bulls to be honored as IL Player of the Month since pitcher J.D. Martin in July of 2013.
24-year-old Patrick Leonard is in his sixth season as a professional player. He was originally selected by Kansas City in the 5th round of the 2011 draft, but after the 2012 season he was traded to Tampa Bay as part of the six-player deal that included James Shields and Wil Myers. Leonard first reached the Triple-A level last season, hitting .198 in 42 games with Durham. He has yet to make his Major League debut. Leonard is a native of Jacksonville, Florida.
Patrick Leonard, Durham Bulls Statistics (April 6-30, 2017)
G AVG H AB R 2B 3B HR RBI SLUG BB SB
22 .412 35 85 17 6 0 2 17 .553 9 5
Last Season's International League Players of the Month: April 2016 - Jermaine Curtis, 2B/3B (Louisville) May 2016 - Wade LeBlanc, P (Buffalo) June 2016 - Aaron Judge, OF (Scranton/Wilkes-Barre) July 2016 - Scott Schebler, OF (Louisville) August 2016 - Phil Klein, P (Lehigh Valley)
International League Stories from May 1, 2017
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- International League Players of the Week - IL1
- Berrios Named International League Pitcher of the Week - Rochester Red Wings
- Skipper Knows Best - Indianapolis Indians
- Fowler Caps Cycle with Walk-Off Home Run - Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders
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