Candelario Named Chicago Cubs Minor League Player of the Month

DES MOINES - The Chicago Cubs recognized Iowa Cubs infielder Jeimer Candelario as the organization's minor league player of the month for April. 

In his second season with Iowa, Candelario ended the month with a .306 average (22-for-72), 10 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 18 RBI, 14 walks, a .432 on-base percentage and a .625 slugging mark. He tied for the Pacific Coast League lead in doubles, while his 15 extra-base hits ranked second. Candelario notched three five-RBI games through the first week of the season, adding a grand slam against Oklahoma City on April 8. 
Overall, the switch-hitter is batting .333 (27-for-81) with 12 doubles, two triples, four homers and 21 RBI. Both his double and RBI totals pace Chicago farmhands. In 24 games with Iowa, Candelario has reached base via hit or walk in all but four. His five multi-RBI games are tied for the most among I-Cubs, while his nine multi-hit games rank second. 
Chicago signed Candelario as a non-drafted free agent in September of 2010. Through his minor league career, the third baseman has been recognized as a Cubs Organization All-Star (2015, '16), a Carolina League mid-season All-Star (2015) and a Southern League mid-season All-Star (2016). He received a Futures Game Selection in 2016, but did not play due to his first big league call-up. 
Candelario debuted with Chicago on July 3, 2016 as the starting third baseman and went 1-for-4 against the Mets. He appeared in five total games over a week-long stint, going 1-for-11 with two walks.