Kris Bryant, Juan Paniagua named Cubs’ Minor League Player, Pitcher of June

The Chicago Cubs announced Sunday that Triple-A Iowa third baseman Kris Bryant and Single-A Kane County pitcher Juan Paniagua have been named the organization’s minor-league player and pitcher of the month for June.

Bryant, the Cubs’ first-round pick in 2013, hit .354 with 24 runs, eight doubles, 11 home runs and 27 RBI in 26 games between Double-A Tennessee and Iowa. He twice homered in three-straight games, and his 11 home runs led all of minor-league baseball while his 19 extra-base hits tied for second and 27 RBI tied for third.

Bryant began the month with a .373 average in Double-A before being promoted to Iowa for the first time in his first full season.

Paniagua went 3-0 with a 0.89 ERA in four games over 20 1/3 innings for Kane County in June. The 24-year-old allowed only four runs, walked five and struck out 26 while he surrendered one home run and limited opponents to a .194 batting average.

Paniagua is 5-3 this season with one save and a 2.97 ERA in 15 games. The Cubs signed Paniagua as a non-drafted free agent in July 2012.

For more Chicago Cubs conversation and updates follow us on Twitter @CubbiesCrib and Like our Facebook page at Cubbies Crib.