Travis Shaw was a big addition to the Milwaukee Brewers this offseason. He was acquired from the Boston Red Sox for a pitcher who has yet to play in a game for his new team. Meanwhile, Shaw is helping to push his team towards an NL Central pennant and a playoff berth. On Friday, he added to his season by earning an award from the organization for his stellar July. It's small apples, however, compared to the team's playoff run.
Brewers give out July awards
Shaw was the recipient of the team's Player of the Month award. He easily had his best month in Milwaukee during July.
He hit .305 with seven home runs and 17 RBIs. He did strike out 26 times, though, which is the most of any month during his Brewers tenure. Additionally, the team actually had its worst month of the season, posting a losing record over the course of a month for the first time in 2017.
Meanwhile, Brent Suter won the award for the team's Pitcher of the Month. Prior to July, Suter had spent most of the season in the minors. He earned his first two victories of the season during his first and last starts of the month, respectively. The Harvard alum made five starts in July, striking out 25 batters and posting an impressive 1.50 ERA. The Brewers won three of the five starts he made during the month, which helped him cement a more permanent spot in the rotation going forward; he should make his next start in Milwaukee on Wednesday night against the St.
Louis Cardinals.
Shaw proving his value
The Brewers acquired Shaw from the Red Sox on December 6, 2016, as well as Mauricio Dubon and Josh Pennington. In the process, they gave up just one player, reliever Tyler Thornburg, who has missed the entire season with a shoulder injury and thoracic outlet syndrome, which forced him into surgery.
He earned the starting third base job at the onset of the season and hasn't let it go since.
He's hitting .294 this season with 24 home runs and 74 RBIs. He ranks sixth in the National League in home runs, seventh in RBIs, and tenth in slugging percentage (.571). Eric Thames was the sexy name coming out of Milwaukee during the first few weeks of the season, but Shaw has been the true breakout player for the team.
As the Brewers continue to battle the Chicago Cubs for a playoff berth, the third baseman will play a key role in the chase. His expectation-defying season could end up being one of the most important storylines in all of baseball when October rolls around.
