Sam Hilliard of the KT Wiz, who has shown dazzling performances since taking his first steps in the KBO League, has become the protagonist of July. A KT foreign hitter winning the Monthly MVP is the first in six years, since Mel Rojas Jr. in June 2020.

The KBO announced on the 10th that Sam Hilliard has been selected as the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League July Monthly Most Valuable Player (MVP).' In his debut season, Hilliard immediately earned his name as a Monthly MVP, receiving 22 out of 35 votes (62.9%) from the journalist panel. In the fan vote, he garnered 70,702 out of a total of 428,888 votes (16.5%), recording a total score of 39.67 points to take first place with an overwhelming margin. In second place was Kim Ji-chan of the Samsung Lions, who received 228,406 votes in the fan vote alone but fell short in the journalist panel vote, finishing with a total score of 29.48 points.

Hilliard's batting performance in July was at the league's highest level. Appearing in 19 games over the month, he posted 9 home runs, 26 RBIs, and a .743 slugging percentage, claiming sole first place in the league in all three key categories. He added a .365 batting average and a .413 on-base percentage, fully playing his role as the centerpiece of the offense.

In particular, in a game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 17th of last month, he blasted 2 home runs and 6 RBIs in a single game, tying his personal record for most RBIs in a game. Additionally, by hitting 9 home runs in July alone, he broke his own record for most monthly home runs (8) set this past May in just two months.

Leading the KT batting lineup as its central axis with his powerful slugging ability, Hilliard will receive 3 million won in prize money and a trophy along with the honor of winning this Monthly MVP award.