Barney named NL Rookie of the Month

[bestkeptsecret13]

At least one Cubs player won't be glad to see April pass.

While the team plodded to a 12-14 mark for the month, Darwin Barney burst onto the scene and was named National League Rookie of the Month on Tuesday.

"It's not important how Baseball America projects you," Barney said. "What's important is the trust the organization puts in you, general manager Jim Hendry, the scouting director and the staff. Just drafting me in the first place."

Barney hit .326 with a home run and 14 RBIs during April. His RBI total was second among MLB rookies. He also scored 15 runs and had 11 multi-hit games.

Going into spring training, Blake DeWitt and Jeff Baker were slated to share time at second base, but Barney batted .371 to not only secure a spot on the roster but put his name on the lineup card for Opening Day.

Barney batted eighth that day and had two hits. By the third game of the season manager Mike Quade was trying him in the No. 2 spot and he soon became a fixture there. His 29 hits in April were the most by a Cubs rookie since Kosuke Fukudome had 32 in 2008.

The last Cubs player to win the award was catcher Geovany Soto in August 2008. He also won it in April.

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=6473096

Barney has been awesome... Definitely did not expect him to play like this.

 

[cruzg24]

Good for him, with Barney and Castro. Wow that would be a sick middle infield if they continue to prosper. Youve got your #1 and #2 hitters for a long time and a good foundation for a good team. Lets see what Barney can do for the rest of the year.