KT Wiz foreign hitter Sam Hilliard has been named the monthly Most Valuable Player (MVP) for July in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League after displaying a fierce hot streak in the midsummer heat.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced on August 10 that Hilliard captured the July MVP honors with a total score of 39.67 points, receiving 22 out of 35 votes from the press (62.9%) and 70,702 out of 428,888 fan votes (16.5%).

Hilliard fended off a challenge from Samsung Lions' Kim Ji-chan, who swept 228,406 fan votes (total score 29.48 points), to claim the award.

Making his debut in the KBO League this season, Hilliard enjoyed a dazzling month of July.

Appearing in 19 games, he claimed sole possession of first place in three categories: home runs (9), RBIs (26), and slugging percentage (0.743).

He showcased flawless performance throughout the entire month, posting a batting average of 0.365 and an on-base percentage of 0.413.

On July 17 in a game against the LG Twins at Jamsil, he slugged two home runs and six RBIs to tie his personal record for most RBIs in a single game, while also setting a new personal monthly high for home runs, surpassing the eight he hit last May.

With this award, Hilliard has captured a monthly MVP title in his debut season in the KBO League.

This marks the first time in six years, since Mel Rojas Jr. in June 2020, that a foreign hitter from KT has won the monthly MVP award.

As the July MVP, Hilliard will receive a cash prize of 3 million won and a trophy.

(Photo: Yonhap News)