(*) BATTERS: BPV leaders, June 2017
Jul 2 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:
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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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