Verdugo, Abbott Earn Cubs' Minor League Honors

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(670 The Score) The Cubs have named Rookie League Mesa infielder Luis Verdugo their minor league player of the month for August and Double-A right-hander Cory Abbott their pitcher of the month.

Verdugo, 18, hit .395 with four doubles, two triples, five homers, 23 RBIs and 22 runs in 19 games in August. He also posted a .439 on-base percentage and 1.136 OPS.

Verdugo hit .305 with five homers, 38 RBIs and 40 runs in 53 games in the Arizona League for the season. The Cubs signed him as a non-drafted free agent in July 2017.

Abbott, 23, was 3-1 with a 0.98 ERA in six starts in August. He struck out 50 batters and walked nine in 36 2/3 innings while limiting opposing batters to a .107 average.

Abbott went 8-8 with a 3.01 ERA in 26 starts for the season, his first at Double-A. He also led the Southern League with 166 strikeouts. The Cubs selected him in the second round of the 2017 amateur draft.