Padres News: Blake Snell Takes Home NL Pitcher of the Month Award for June

Snell made his mark on an ailing Padres team in June.

June was not very kind to the San Diego Padres, as the Friars went 12-15 and lost some major momentum on any championship hopes. A bright spot amidst the darkness, which saw fans don paper bags in shame of their team's dreadful performance, has been starting pitcher Blake Snell.

In June, Snell went 3-1, holding a 0.87 ERA and a 6.6 strikeout-to-walk ratio in five starts. His three wins were shutouts, while the two other starts saw Snell let up a combined three runs.

Due to his lights-out performance, Snell was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for June. Boston's James Paxton was given the honor in the American League.

James Paxton: 3-0, 1.74 ERA, 31 IP, 34 K, .165 BAA, 0.77 WHIP

Blake Snell: 3-1, 0.87 ERA, 31 IP, 53 K, .124 BAA, 0.68 WHIP

Your AL and NL Pitchers of the Month for June. pic.twitter.com/eqOmu0CkH1

— MLB (@MLB) July 3, 2023

Snell is an integral piece of a team that had high hopes of making a championship run before the season started. Now facing a guaranteed losing record by the All-Star break, the Padres will have their hands full in the second half of the season.

Whether or not one of those hands will be Blake Snell's is the question.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported that the Padres are expected to part ways with Snell, who pitched five scoreless innings in Monday's game against the Los Angeles Angels.

Because the star pitcher is eligible for free agency at the conclusion of the 2023 season, San Diego could part ways with Snell in order to get a return on a starting pitcher who will likely attract attention from playoff contenders.

San Diego general manager AJ Preller, however, has kept his trade deadline strategy as vague as possible as the Padres continue to fight to contend for a playoff spot. 

Snell will likely make his last start before the All-Star break against the New York Mets in San Diego.