CINCINNATI • The National League rookie of the month for July came from a National League Central team and helped keep that club in the race for the division title. After starting the year as a part-time player, he’s been thrust into a more prominent role with a blend of production his team couldn’t get from others, though they did try.
He bats righthanded.
He’s got a contagious liveliness to his game.
His name is not Randal Grichuk.
Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang won the monthly award for the NL in July with a blend of statistics not seen in Pittsburgh by a rookie since September 1926 when Paul Waner shined, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.