Chiba Lotte Marines rookie right-hander Yasutomo Kubo was named the MVP for the month of June after winning all three starts during the month, the Pacific League announced Tuesday.
While the 24-year-old Kubo became the first rookie in two years in either league to win the monthly MVP honor when he was named the best pitcher, Julio Zuleta of the Softbank Hawks picked up the award in the position players category after he hit a league-high nine homers over the period.
Both players won the award for the first time in their careers.
The monthly MVP awards in the Central League went to Hanshin Tigers right-hander Kyuji Fujikawa and Hiroshima Carp infielder Takahiro Arai, who were both first-time recipients of the award.