Yomiuri Giants lefty Kazuto Taguchi was recognized for his sparkling record in July by being named the Central League's pitcher of the month on Friday.
The 20-year-old Taguchi, the Giants' third-round draft pick in 2013, went 3-0 with a 1.14 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 23-2/3 innings. He was joined on July's Central League honor roll by Yokohama BayStars slugger Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, who is a two-time winner.
In the Pacific League, Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters right-hander Kohei Arihara, the PL's 2015 rookie of the year, and Orix Buffaloes shortstop Ryoichi Adachi each collected their first monthly honor.
Tsutsugo became just the fourth Japanese player to hit 16 home runs, while tying Bobby Rose's franchise-record of 31 RBIs, in a month. He also became the first player to hit multiple home runs in three consecutive games.
The power display made Tsutsugo something of a surprise winner since the monthly award typically goes to the player with the highest monthly batting average, and Tsutsugo's .429 average was second to the .443 posted by Takahiro Arai, who drove in 24 runs for the Hiroshima Carp.
The PL's player of the month award, however, went according to form as Adachi led the league with a .380 average. The shortstop had two extra bases, seven walks and no stolen bases. In contrast, Fighters ace pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Otani batted .400 with a .518 on-base percentage and 16 extra bases in 45 at-bats.
Arihara, who went 3-1 with a 1.47 ERA and 21 strikeouts over 30-2/3 innings, beat out some stiff competition from Fighters starter Luis Mendoza (3-0, 2.42 ERA) and reliever Chris Martin. The recently promoted Fighters closer went 1-0 with eight saves in 11 games, while allowing two hits and one walk, and striking out 11 in 10 innings.