Alex Guerrero named April NL Rookie of the Month

LOS ANGELES -- Alex Guerrero didn't play very often in the season's first month, but still made a huge impact on the Dodgers. On Monday, Guerrero was named National League Rookie of the Month for April.

Guerrero hit .423/.429/1.077 with five home runs and 13 RBI in 13 games, including just five starts. He led NL rookies in batting average, slugging percentage and home runs, and was seventh in RBI despite his limited time.

In addition to his five starts — four at third base, once in left field — Guerrero hit two pinch-hit home runs, one more than the Dodgers hit as a team all of last season.

Guerrero wasn't the only Dodgers rookie in consideration for the award. Joc Pederson hit .304/.400/.587 with four home runs, 17 walks and stellar defense in center field, and Yimi Garcia was lights out in the bullpen, 2-0 with a 0.77 ERA and a save, with 19 strikeouts in 11⅔ innings. Garcia tied Aroldis Chapman for the National League lead for strikeouts by relievers, one behind major league leader Andrew Miller of the Yankees.

Both Pederson and Garcia also received votes, from whatever nebulous group at MLB decides these awards.

Guerrero is the first Dodgers player to win NL Rookie of the Month since Yasiel Puig in June 2013.