Rockies 3B Arenado earns second career NL Player of the Month honor

Undoubtedly, 2017 has been a special season for the Colorado Rockies, but perhaps it’s been even more extraordinary for third baseman Nolan Arenado, who not only finds himself a National League MVP candidate but earned NL Player of the Month honors on Wednesday.

In July, Arenado batted .389 with an on-base percentage of .423 and slugging percentage of .744 while driving out 8 home runs and driving in an MLB-high 30 RBIs.

It’s the second time Arenado has been named NL Player of the Month, last receiving the honor in September 2015. He’s also the Rockies second player this season to earn the distinction, along with center fielder Charlie Blackmon, who won the award in May.

Talking to MLB.com, Arenado attributed his stellar month, which included his first All-Star Game start and NL Player of the Week honors, to staying keenly focused.

“I think the reason why good things happen is because I’m not results-oriented,” Arenado said. “For the last month, I’m so focused on my feel that whatever happens, happens. I think that’s really helped me. … That’s the goal, is to just stay in my legs, and keep doing what I’m doing.”

As for his MVP credentials, Arenado ranks eighth in NL in batting average (.315), ninth in OPS (.957), ninth in home runs (24), and third in WAR (4.8).

July also appears to have spilled over into August for Arenado as well, as he drove in the winning run in walk-off fashion in Tuesday night’s 5-4 win over the New York Mets.

Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.