AL Players of the Month: June 2026

The month of June brought some incredible performances across Major League Baseball. Many players had gaudy stretches. Some correcting slow starts, some further cementing a great season. It’s the beauty of baseball, where monthlong stretches can do a massive favor in framing the overall picture.

Fifteen position players posted at least a full win above replacement in June; five pitchers also did. Doing so this close to All-Star voting and selection will help many of these players receive well-deserved accolades for their efforts.

That said, with several worthwhile candidates, who claims the top spot for AL Player of the Month?

AL Player of the Month: Junior Caminero

After the 2025 campaign, there was an odd dialogue surrounding the Rays third baseman. Given his splits, there was at least a little cause for skepticism as to whether it would stick going back to Tropicana Field this year.

Last year, he had just a 100 wRC+ on the road, slashing .218/.266/.477. Sure, there was plenty of slug, but the overall results didn’t follow outside of that. This year, he’s bucked that trend. While still doing better at home, he’s improved his road splits to a 114 wRC+ along with a .250/.331/.436 slash.

His June was nothing short of spectacular. Across 26 games, the 22-year-old hit 10 home runs and drove in 24 runs. The former led the AL; the latter came in second to Detroit Tigers backstop Dillon Dingler.

His rate numbers put into perspective just how dominant he was. His 187 wRC+ led the AL, as did his .443 weighted on-base average and .347 isolated power. He also ranked third in fWAR, behind only Dingler (1.8) and Bobby Witt Jr. (1.5). That said, even while playing a lower-value defensive position in third base, he fell within the half-win margin of error where the WAR gap is considered less meaningful.

The Rays third baseman has been tormenting opposing pitchers so long, it’s hard to believe he’s still yet to turn 23.

Honorable Mentions

Jac Caglianone

Until the final days of the month, there was a real conversation for Caglianone to take home these honors. That doesn’t change the fact that he had a monster month, Caminero just eked him out.

Caglianone finished just behind Caminero in fWAR, and narrowly trailed him in wRC+. Across 25 games and 106 plate appearances, he posted a 182 wRC+. He also chipped in nine home runs, second in the American League in June. Additionally, he added 19 runs batted in, a .439 wOBA, and a .448 expected wOBA. The latter led the league last month.

It’s been a major breakout campaign for the Royals slugger. After posting -1.6 fWAR in just 62 games as a rookie, he’s up to 1.4 in 76 games this season. Overall, that June corrected his season numbers to a 121 wRC+ with a .351 wOBA and a .373 xwOBA.

He’s a batted ball darling as it is. This year, he’s above the 90th percentile in average exit velocity, xwOBA, hard-hit rate, and barrel rate, among others.

Dillon Dingler

As mentioned, Dingler led the American League in fWAR for the month of June. He also led the league in runs batted in.

Moreover, Dingler posted a 172 wRC+ alongside a .333/.354/.657 slash.

Overall, the Tigers backstop was top 10 in several offensive categories, with a .394 xwOBA, .422 wOBA, .333 batting average, and .324 ISO. He tore the cover off the ball in June, in addition to being one of the best defensive players in the league regardless of position.

AL Pitcher of the Month: Drew Rasmussen

The Rays stars dominated this month, but especially Rasmussen.

A pinnacle of consistency when healthy, the right-hander posted an ERA under 1.00 in June. That alone is already impressive, but considering that figure led the AL by over a run makes it that much more impressive.

It wasn’t just a month of favorable outcomes for him either. Sure, with an ERA as low as that, you’re bound to have had the benefit of some luck, but his peripherals were also elite. His 1.77 FIP led the AL, and his 2.65 expected FIP finished second.

He was 3.2 innings off the lead in that category as well, while finishing sixth in strikeouts per nine and third in walks per nine.

Averaging 6.1 innings per start with less than an earned run on average is ridiculous for any stretch. Doing so for a full month, taking the ball every fifth day and anchoring the staff of a Cinderella team makes it even more impressive.

Honorable Mentions

Ranger Suárez

In a year of forgettable moments and disappointment, Suárez has been one of the biggest bright spots for the Red Sox.

June was no different, as he put up the second-most fWAR among American League pitchers. He also saw a massive uptick in strikeouts, fanning over 10 per nine innings. He’s always been crafty and elite at manipulating contact. After all, that’s what drew the Red Sox to him to the tune of a five-year deal this past offseason.

The strikeout stuff has ratcheted up another notch this season, with career-highs in strikeouts per nine and strikeout-to-walk rate.

His 1.91 FIP also ranked second in the AL, all while he averaged six innings per start. He’s been a walking quality start for Boston, doing so in four of his five outings for the month.

Gage Jump

Jump made six starts in June, posting a 2.31 ERA in 35 innings.

He got roughed up a bit in his final outing, but he dominated his first five. Across those outings, he had a 1.19 ERA, a 2.12 FIP, and a 27% strikeout rate.

He’s not one of these power arms that racks up strikeouts at a crazy high clip, but he was against the Giants on June 24. In that outing, he pitched five innings and struck out nine. Facing 18 batters, that was good for a clean 50% K rate.

The Athletics have been another surprise this season. Though not holding a playoff spot now, they’ve hung around contention in a weak American League. Overall, they’re 29th in the league in ERA, so Jump coming in with a 2.93 overall is a welcome addition.

Only seven starts into his MLB career, the southpaw is emerging as a fringe Rookie of the Year candidate. Potentially just the first recognition of his brief career, he takes home this honor in June as one of our honorable mentions among pitchers.