(*) BATTERS: BPV leaders, June 2017

Let's continue our regular look back at the hitters who posted the best skills during the previous month.

The list of the most skilled bats in June is headlined by a hitter who is on his way to a breakout:

• 75+ BPV, June 2017*
  
  Name                League  Position     bb%  ct%  Eye   PX   HctX  xPX  Spd  BPV
  ==================  ======  ===========  ===  ===  ====  ===  ====  ===  ===  ===
  Springer, George        AL           RF  11%  79%  0.61  236   126  180  108  162
  Votto, Joey             NL           1B  14%  91%  1.89  168   134  167   95  158
  Pederson, Joc           NL           CF  16%  77%  0.85  230   115  143   87  152
  Bellinger, Cody         NL        LF/1B  11%  69%  0.42  270   151  201   94  147
  Granderson, Curtis      NL           RF  19%  77%  1.06  199   125  192  119  145
  Rendon, Anthony         NL           3B  15%  87%  1.36  168   135  157   90  141
  McCutchen, Andrew       NL           CF  17%  85%  1.36  140   127  119  127  126
  Ramirez, Jose           AL     3B/LF/2B   6%  89%  0.58  153   138  108  110  126
  Turner, Justin          NL           3B  14%  92%  2.20  125   167  182   82  125
  Rizzo, Anthony          NL           1B  16%  87%  1.46  143   114  109   76  119
  Judge, Aaron            AL           RF  23%  62%  0.78  237   129  175  109  119
  Fowler, Dexter          NL           CF  14%  80%  0.80  176   120  151   90  117
  Altuve, Jose            AL           2B  13%  90%  1.60  117    91   79  105  115
  Moore, Tyler            NL           1B   6%  78%  0.27  203   100  157   80  113
  Jaso, John              NL        1B/RF   5%  79%  0.27  201   129  200   75  113
  Murphy, Daniel          NL        2B/1B   8%  92%  1.11  121   124   83   99  112
  Zunino, Mike            AL            C   8%  60%  0.21  280   106  194   96  110
  Morrison, Logan         AL           1B  15%  76%  0.73  180   139  189   95  109
  Solarte, Yangervis      NL        3B/2B   9%  84%  0.64  151   138  157   97  105
  Shaw, Travis            NL        3B/1B  16%  77%  0.81  176   116  133   78  105
  Reddick, Josh           AL           RF   5%  86%  0.40  139   173  168  115  103
  Puig, Yasiel            NL           RF  14%  83%  1.00  141    94   80   89  103
  Moustakas, Mike         AL           3B   5%  83%  0.31  168   115  134   77  103
  Betts, Mookie           AL           RF  10%  92%  1.44  105   137  141   92  103
  Kinsler, Ian            AL           2B   9%  89%  0.90  122   134  136   95  101
  Carpenter, Matt         NL     1B/3B/2B  18%  79%  1.05  150   150  208   85  100
  Sanchez, Gary           AL            C  10%  74%  0.43  194   128  128   87   99
  Gennett, Scooter        NL           2B   6%  76%  0.29  195   145  180   76   99
  Adams, Matt             NL           1B   9%  79%  0.48  177   140  157   61   97
  Smoak, Justin           AL           1B  10%  78%  0.52  164    98  156   96   96
  Encarnacion, Edwin      AL           1B  15%  81%  0.94  147   120  145   72   95
  Name                League  Position     bb%  ct%  Eye   PX   HctX  xPX  Spd  BPV
  ==================  ======  ===========  ===  ===  ====  ===  ====  ===  ===  ===
  Cain, Lorenzo           AL           CF   6%  81%  0.35  144   132  138  139   95
  Duvall, Adam            NL           LF   8%  70%  0.31  204   101  120  103   94
  Simmons, Andrelton      AL           SS   7%  92%  0.89   94    98   84  119   93
  Nunez, Eduardo          NL     3B/SS/LF   4%  91%  0.50  103    81   63  118   92
  Taylor, Michael         NL           CF   6%  71%  0.21  209   107  111   88   91
  Mesoraco, Devin         NL            C   7%  70%  0.27  201   102  113  105   89
  Lowrie, Jed             AL           2B  10%  81%  0.58  139    99  116  112   89
  Holliday, Matt          AL        LF/DH  16%  80%  1.00  136   120  159   77   88
  Frazier, Todd           AL        3B/DH  14%  76%  0.70  157   103  113   81   85
  Beltre, Adrian          AL           3B  10%  87%  0.83  124   135  125   51   84
  Upton, Justin           AL           LF   8%  77%  0.36  166   137  154   81   84
  Panik, Joe              NL           2B  10%  90%  1.11   85   104  102  107   83
  Goldschmidt, Paul       NL           1B  12%  72%  0.52  175   136  173   91   83
  Chisenhall, Lonnie      AL           RF   7%  79%  0.36  144   112  167  114   82
  Goodwin, Brian          NL           LF  12%  72%  0.48  167    86  119  117   81
  Seager, Corey           NL           SS  14%  73%  0.64  154   150  167  104   79
  Owings, Chris           NL     SS/CF/2B   4%  78%  0.19  162   119  171   93   79
  Martinez, J.D.          AL           RF   8%  73%  0.35  166   150  128  111   79
  Barnhart, Tucker        NL            C   7%  87%  0.57  109   119   77   90   78
  Arenado, Nolan          AL           3B   6%  78%  0.28  137   110  142  139   78
  Joyce, Matt             AL           RF  15%  75%  0.73  152    91  129   76   77
  Correa, Carlos          AL           SS  12%  77%  0.60  138   129  108  109   77
  Martinez, Jose          NL           LF   7%  75%  0.29  152   119  137  132   76
  Bryant, Kris            NL        3B/LF  18%  71%  0.76  146    85  120  127   76
  Perez, Salvador         AL            C   2%  80%  0.11  162   151  195   71   76
  Castellanos, Nick       AL           3B   7%  78%  0.33  136   153  102  133   76
  Bradley, Jackie         AL           CF  11%  80%  0.62  129   134  120   95   76
  Schwarber, Kyle         NL           LF  15%  66%  0.53  193    56  118   81   76
  Cabrera, Asdrubal       NL        SS/2B  12%  86%  0.90   97   123  114  101   75
  Realmuto, Jacob         NL            C   7%  80%  0.35  128   112  137  129   75
  Broxton, Keon           NL           CF  10%  57%  0.27  230    77  144  128   75
  *min 50 AB

Let's take a closer look at a bunch of noteworthy skill performances that happened in June.
 

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Lonnie Chisenhall (RF, CLE) had a crazy 1.052 OPS in June. You can credit an inflated 43% h% for a lot of it, as that hit rate drove his .373 BA, which pushed his OPS north. Still, Chisenhall's power has taken some legitimate steps forward in 2017; his current 153 xPX is more than double the levels he posted over the two prior seasons.

Todd Frazier (3B/DH, CHW) was one of the more complete hitters in the AL in June (.915 OPS, 0.70 Eye in 96 AB). And his BA and production would have been even better if not for a low 26% h%. With a steadily increasing hit rate in each month so far in 2017 (19%-20%-26% h%), Frazier is showing clear signs of putting his early struggles behind him.

Joey Gallo (3B/1B, TEX) posted a mediocre .710 OPS in June, in addition to his customary elite power (243 xPX). The reason for his unspectacular production was the result of a .153 BA, a mark that was driven by the lowest hit rate in the AL (18% h%). He's someone who could have a big rebound month in July.

Francisco Lindor (SS, CLE) is another high-upside young bat who was inflicted with some BABIP bad luck in June. His 21% h% was one of the lowest in the AL that month. It's the main reason he had a poor .622 OPS in June. His plate control remained top-tier (93% ct%, 0.88 Eye) and his overall skills were good too (71 BPV). He's a good bet to have a big second half.

Logan Morrison (1B, TAM) continues to be one of the most valuable 1B in the game. He had a huge June (.984 OPS), and it wasn't a fluke. It was backed by very good pitch recognition (15% bb%, 76% ct%, 0.73 Eye) and power skills (180 PX) that were supported by a 189 xPX. Keep riding him.

George Springer (RF, HOU) was the most skilled bat in MLB during the month of June (162 BPV). He had an elite 1.238 OPS that month thanks to the 13 HR he hit in June. Interestingly, he made more contact that month (79% ct%) than he made during any month in 2016 or any month so far in 2017. It's a sign that Springer is taking a legitimate step forward.

Mike Zunino (C, SEA) also had a big June (10 HR in 82 AB). And that power was supported by an elite 194 xPX. Just note that his plate control remains a big issue, as he had a rough 7/33 BB/K in those 82 AB. Still, you won't find a higher power ceiling among young catchers than the one he carries, so he remains worth the investment, especially in keeper leagues.
 

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Cody Bellinger (LF/1B, LA) produced an amazing 13 HR in June, power that resulted in a 1.080 OPS that month. That elite level of power was backed by a 201 xPX, which helped to drive his top-tier 147 BPV. Just keep in mind that he opened up his swing to produce that power (69% ct%), so he's someone who could encounter some ups-and-downs in the second half.

Curtis Granderson (RF, NYM) turned back the clock in June and delivered a firmly elite performance, both on the surface (.329 BA, 1.163 OPS) and beneath it (145 BPV). He drew tons of walks (19% bb%), made decent contact (77% ct%), showed top-flight underlying power skills (192 xPX), and even had decent wheels (119 Spd). He's on his way to his third-straight 25+ HR season.

Andrew McCutchen (CF, PIT) is another hitter who is tapping into his prior ceiling. He was one of the game's most productive hitters in June (1.205 OPS), and he didn't do it by hacking (17% bb%, 85% ct%, 1.36 Eye). That elite plate discipline was paired with a good 119 xPX and 127 Spd too. It all added up to McCutchen owning a 126 BPV in June.

Joc Pederson (CF, LA) combined an elite 1.149 OPS in June with some of the best bat-on-ball ability we've ever seen from him (77% ct%). And his walk rate (16% bb%) soared to its highest levels so far in 2017. His 143 xPX in June also was significantly higher than the power skills he posted earlier in the season. Pederson is another bat in his mid-20s who could be in store for a big second half.

Anthony Rendon (3B, WAS) was one of the game's best hitters in June by any measure. He had a .310 BA and 1.060 OPS that month and posted some of the best collection of plate skills in the game: 15% bb%, 87% ct%, 1.36 Eye. And his 168 PX was validated by a 157 xPX. It all contributed to his excellent 141 BPV in June.

Kyle Schwarber (LF, CHC) had the lowest hit rate of any MLB hitter during the month of June (17% h%). It's a mark that likely contributed to his demotion. For the season, his 19% h% is much lower than the hit rate he posted during his 2015 rookie season (29% h%). His plate skills continue to feature a lot of walks (14% bb%) and some spotty contact (66% ct%). In addition to some BABIP bad luck, Schwarber's steep reduction in line drives (17% LD% to 12% LD%) has hurt him. At age 24, he's got time to figure things out, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him have a big second half after he gets recalled.

Travis Shaw (3B/1B, MIL) entered the 2017 season with some significant downside. It hasn't manifested yet, and if his June production and results are any indication, he doesn't have short-term risk of regression. He was one of MLB's most complete hitters in June. He had a 1.013 OPS, production that was backed by a 133 xPX and was paired with very good pitch recognition (16% bb%, 77% ct%, 0.81 Eye).

Yangervis Solarte (3B/2B, SD) showed some nice power and production in June (7 HR, 1.028 OPS in 67 AB). And that production wasn't driven by a fluky hit rate (29% h%). His underlying power skills fully supported his power gains (157 xPX). And he did so while maintaining good control of home plate. He'll be out for a while due to a strained oblique, but if he returns in July, he could be headed towards his first 20-HR season.

Justin Turner (3B, LA) has displayed better plate discipline so far in 2017 than we've ever seen from him before. And he took those gains to a whole new level in June: 14% bb%, 92% ct%, 2.20 Eye. But he was more than just a patient hitter who didn't strike out. He also produced a 1.211 OPS, which was supported by a 182 xPX, power skills that were in the top 15 among all batters in June. As his 8% HR/F regresses to its prior 15% norm, Turner's HR and RBI output should soar. Buy-low targets don't get much better than Turner.

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