The Top Hitters of 1999

Ranked by On-Base Percentage plus Slugging Percentage, or OPS, which we use here because it correlates very well with runs scored and is easy to figure out, here are the top hitters in the major leagues in 1999 so far (thru May 27th). The average OPS in the major leagues so far is .781.

1. Rafael Palmeiro - 1.144 - A player who is suddenly looking like he very well might put together a Hall of Fame career.

2. Larry Walker - 1.134 - His frequent injuries have only slowed him down a little; he's by far the best player on the Rockies.

3. John Olerud - 1.120 - The Mets' trade for Olerud now looks like one of the most lopsided trades in baseball history. Olerud is still a huge bargain this year, but the Mets will have to pay up to keep him for the long term.

4. Jeff Bagwell - 1.118 - Speaking of the most lopsided trades in history .....

5. Ken Griffey Jr. - 1.110 - Jr. needs a good nickname. Now that Gretzky has retired, perhaps Griffey can appropriate "The Great One."

6. Sean Casey - 1.105 - Now that he's fully recovered from his 1998 beaning, Casey is showing everyone what a great hitter he is.

7. Fred McGriff - 1.102 - Looked pretty much finished last year, but has made adjustments and come back strong.

8. Luis Gonzalez - 1.091 - Obviously, Gonzalez has been playing over his head. But he's always been a decent and underappreciated player.

9. Derek Jeter - 1.069 - Probably the most valuable player in the majors thus far.

10. Jose Canseco - 1.063 - After playing like a Dave Kingman clone the last few years, he's been phenomenal. But it's hard to believe he'll stay healthy the entire season.

11. Manny Ramirez 1.047 - The biggest cog in the major's most devastating offense.

12. Shawn Green - 1.038 - His pitch selection this year is much improved, and thus he's getting more hits with more power and more walks.

13. Tony Ferandez -1.033 - Fernandez missed having traditional peak years, but he seems to be making up for it during his supposed decline phase.

14. Chili Davis - 1.028 - Unlike most "professional hitters," Chili does his job very well, and has seemed to improve with age. The Yankees might have won even more games last year if Chili had been healthy.

15. Mike Liberthal - 1.028 - Recovered from various injuries, he's made the Phillies quite happy they didn't trade him.

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