KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Major League Baseball announced today that Royals left-handed pitcher Kris Bubic has been named American League Pitcher of the Month for May. He’s the 10th different Royals pitcher (17th instance) to be named American League Pitcher of the Month, and the first since Cole Ragans in August 2023.
Bubic, 27, went 3-0 in 5 starts last month with an American League-best 0.56 ERA (2 ER in 32.1 IP), which was the best mark in the month of May in Royals history (min. 5 starts) and was the 3rd best in any month, trailing only Zack Greinke’s 0.50 ERA (2 ER in 36.0 IP) in April 2009 and Greinke’s 0.55 ERA (2 ER in 33.0 IP) in September 2009. The only runs Bubic allowed in May came on a solo HR by Houston’s Jeremy Peña on May 13 and an RBI single by Ty France on May 25.
Bubic continued his brilliant start to the 2025 season with 7.0 innings of 1-run ball on Sunday, June 1 vs. Detroit, his 8th start out of 12 this season vs. teams who made the playoffs in 2024.
For the season, Bubic leads Major League Baseball with a 1.43 ERA (12 ER in 75.1 IP), which is the best mark through 12 starts in franchise history. It’s the 3rd-lowest ERA through 12 starts by an American League pitcher in the Wild Card Era (since 1995), trailing only Pedro Martínez (0.99 ERA in 2000) and Justin Verlander (1.11 ERA in 2018).
The complete list of Royals to win American League Pitcher of the Month is below.
Kris Bubic (May 2025)
Cole Ragans (August 2023)
Zack Greinke (April 2009)
Jose Lima (July 2003)
Kevin Appier (June 1995)
David Cone (May 1994)
Kevin Appier (July 1992)
Bret Saberhagen (September 1989)
Bret Saberhagen (August 1989)
Mark Gubicza (June 1989)
Mark Gubicza (June 1988)
Bret Saberhagen (April 1987)
Charlie Leibrandt (September 1985)
Bret Saberhagen (July 1985)
Charlie Leibrandt (April 1985)
Larry Gura (September 1981)