Kenta Ishida, one of two young lefties at the heart of the Yokohama BayStars' pitching renaissance, was announced as the Central League's May pitcher of the month on Tuesday.
But Ishida was just one of four first-time winners as unheralded Hanshin Tigers catcher Fumihito Haraguchi was the CL's player of the month.
The Pacific League awards went to Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks closer Dennis Sarfate and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters third baseman Brandon Laird.