The Florida Marlins have named New Orleans Zephyrs outfielder Scott Cousins the organization's Minor League Player of the Month for July, while Jacksonville Suns starter Elih Villanueva was named Pitcher of the Month.

Cousins becomes the second consecutive Zephyr to take home the Player of the Month award, after Logan Morrison did so in June.

Cousins hit .328 in 31 games for New Orleans in July, with seven doubles, one triple, six home runs and 18 RBI. He also scored 27 runs, third-most in the Pacific Coast League during the month.

The Marlins' third round selection in 2006 out of the University of San Francisco also stole five bases in seven attempts, and started the month with a nine-game hitting streak from July 1st through 9th, then put together a 10-game hitting streak from July 21st through 28th.

Cousins had hit just .217 through the first three months of the season, despite becoming the first Zephyr in eight years to hit for the cycle when he accomplished the feat on May 1 at Oklahoma City.

Entering play on Monday night, Cousins had raised his season average to .279.

Jacksonville starter Elih Villanueva finished July with a 4-0 record and 1.85 ERA over six starts, including two complete games and a shutout. He threw 43.2 innings during the month, allowing nine earned runs on 27 hits, with four walks 27 strikeouts, while holding opposing batters to a .176 average.

The highlight of the month was a three-hit shutout against Tennessee on July 7th. Villanueva currently leads the Southern League in ERA (2.29), ranks second in wins (12), and is tied for first in games started (23), and complete games (3).

photo courtesy Wendy Eagan / MiLB.com