Led all minor leaguers in hits, batting average, on-base percentage, on-base plus slugging percentage & total bases
Minor League Baseball has announced that Durham Bulls infielder Jonathan Aranda has been named the International League’s Player of the Month for the month of June. He is the first Bulls player to be honored with a league monthly award this season.
In 24 June contests, Aranda posted a .448 batting average (43-96) with 22 runs, nine doubles, nine homers & 24 RBI, along with a .531 OBP, .823 SLG & 1.354 OPS. In that period, Aranda paced all qualified full-season MiLB players in hits, batting average, OBP, OPS & total bases (79), in addition to ranking second in SLG, tied for third in extra-base hits (18), and fourth in homers. That stretch included 16 games of two or more hits, including three multi-homer efforts, the 1st three of his pro career.
Overall in 69 games this season, the reigning International League’s Most Valuable Player has batted .342 (88-257) with 55 runs, 17 doubles, 16 homers and 56 RBI, along with a .453 on-base percentage, .595 slugging percentage and 1.048 on-base plus slugging percentage. Among qualified International League players he ranks second in on-base percentage, fourth in on-base plus slugging percentage, tied for fourth in hits, fifth in batting average, seven in slugging percentage, sixth in total bases (153) and tied for eighth in run scored.
In two seasons with Durham, Aranda has posted a .327 average (216-660), adding 126 runs scored, 43 doubles, one triple, 34 homers and 141 RBI along with a .968 on-base plus slugging percentage. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2015.
The Bulls continue their six-game homestand this evening versus the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. First pitch this evening is set for 6:35pm from Durham Bulls Athletic Park.
Tickets for that game and all 2023 Durham Bulls home games are available, and can be purchased at DurhamBulls.com, or by calling 919.956.BULL.
Thanks to DBBC’s Andrew Green for this Capcom story & photo.
Jonathan Aranda
