10 Most Surprising Hitters So Far

1. Mark Reynolds- Who would have thought that he had it in him to start the season off the way he has. I don't know if it's a hot/lucky streak, if it's a product of all around good hitting by the D Backs, or if he is that talented. I have a feeling that his hot start is compiled of all three factors. I'm not sure he can keep up the kind of power numbers he's putting up but I believe he can keep that BA over .300 all year.

2. Nate McLouth- A lot of guys had targeted him as a sleeper going into the draft but I don't think many expected him to produce this well, this fast. He had a 19 game hitting streak that was finally snapped yesterday and he's sitting at .365 on the season with 3 HR and 16 RBI and 2 SB. He's a nice little hitter for sure but to ask this young kid to keep this up is asking too much. I think he still finishes with very nice numbers and will confirm his sleeper status.

3. Justin Upton- The hype was there. The comparisons were made. Now it was time to see what this kid can do. What can he do? He can mash the ball. As much potential as the baseball world knew resided in the body of Justin Upton, to see a 20 year old put up these good of numbers this early in the season is a shocker. He's currently hitting .368 with 5 HR and 13 RBI. He's shown that he can hit situationally as well as hit for power. Fantasy owners would like to see more SB from him though.

4. Kosuke Fukudome- I told you he could hit. I thought he would hit for a little more power but it's still early. But watching this guy hit makes my day. What's the key to his success? His patience at the plate. He has seen more pitches/AB than anyone in baseball. He has the eyes of an eagle and the hand speed of Floyd Mayweather. He's hitting .357 in 70 AB with 1 HR and 9 RBI to go along with 16 BB and 3 SB. His patience at the plate is spreading to the rest of the Cubs' lineup as well. It just goes to show, it doesn't matter where you come from...if you can hit, you can hit.

5. Rafael Furcal- Most fantasy experts had written the guy off as a shell of his former self, including me. However, Furcal is back with a vengeance and is one of the only guys producing for the Dodgers currently. In 78 AB Furcal has gotten his BA up to .397 and has 3 HR and 9 RBI to go along with 13 BB and 4 SB. It looks for now like the man is back and truthfully, I can't believe. But good for him and for those who own him.

6. Joe Crede- The White Sox third baseman has defied the naysayers and has been hitting the cover off of the ball. The best gloveman at third brought his bat back with him too this year. He has just fallen under .300 in the last game now at .299. Oh yeah he also has 5 HR and 19 RBI. Not bad for a guy that people didn't think would even be starting for the White Sox this year. I think Crede keeps it up all year and gets his 30/100.

7. Casey Kotchman- We all knew he could hit for average but Casey is showing some pop early on this season. He now has 5 HR and 13 RBI to go along with his .317 BA. I'm not sure how long he can keep up this power surge but it sure is a nice sign of potential in that category. He has really solidified himself at 1B for the Angels and it could be that way for years to come.

8. Geovany Soto- Some people raved about him, some people thought he was overrated. Soto is proving he was worth the hype. A year removed from winning the Minor League MVP and getting big hits for the Cubs' down the stretch last year, Soto is picking up right where he left off. In 63 AB this season, Soto has a .317 BA with 2 HR and 13 RBI. Don't be surprised if that BA is still over .300 when the season ends and the 2 HR turn into 20. By next year he will most likely be a top 5 catcher in fantasy baseball.

9. Jorge Cantu- I really do love this guy here. Everyone but a few like myself thought he was washed up already. I knew the guy could still hit. Now that he's playing everyday again he is showing the world that it's the damn truth. In 74 AB he has gotten his BA up to .338 with 3 HR and 8 RBI with 2 SB. It looks like Mr. Cantu is back and people need to start realizing it. Never count a good hitter out.

10. Ryan Ludwick- Thought to be the least talented of the young Cardinals outfielders, Ludwick is hitting better than any. The stocky hitter is on a torrid pace to start '08 and could end up the everyday LF next year for the Cardinals or for just about any other team in baseball. How's a .365 BA with 4 HR and 12 RBI sound to you? Pretty damn sweet. Watch the K rate for him if you're in leagues that count them, he's got 15 in 52 AB.