Angels' Trout, Rockies' Gonzalez earn Player of the Month honors

The reigning American League MVP and a man on a mission to turn things around after a terrible start to the season have been recognized for their impressive performances in the month of July.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout and Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez were named the American and National League Players of the Month, respectively.

Trout, the AL home-run leader, destroyed opposing pitching in July, posting a .367/.462/.861 hitting line to go along with 12 home runs, 24 RBIs, and 20 runs scored.

Gonzalez struggled through the opening months of the season but had his best month of the year in July, hitting .386/.438/.841 with 11 home runs, 24 RBIs, and 20 runs scored.

On the other side of the ball, new Houston Astros addition Scott Kazmir and last season's National League MVP, Clayton Kershaw, earned Pitchers of the Month honors. Each allowed a single earned run in July.

Kazmir compiled a 2-0 record with an astonishingly low 0.26 ERA and a WHIP of 0.62 in 34 innings pitched across five starts.

Kershaw struck out 45 across 33 innings pitched in the month, with an eye-popping 0.27 ERA and a 3-0 record in four starts. He's currently thrown 37 consecutive innings of scoreless ball, last allowing a run July 3.

Angels pitcher Andrew Heaney and Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jung Ho Kang received Rookie of the Month honors.

Heaney pitched to a 4-0 record across four starts with a 1.98 ERA and 0.95 WHIP, while Kang hit .379/.443/.621 with 13 extra-base hits for the Pirates.