The Top Hitters of the Season So Far

As ranked by OPS - on-base percentage plus slugging percentage, a simple to use stat which is an excellent measure of production - the best hitters of the year through May 21:

1. Barry Bonds - 1.356 - One of the all-time greats isn't slowing down.

2. Manny Ramirez - 1.256 - Has taken Boston by storm

3. Luis Gonzalez - 1.210 - He's not this good, but this one-time platoon player has made himself into a true star in his thirties.

4. Larry Walker - 1.185 - His stats are Coors-aided, of course, but it's nice to see him relatively healthy and productive.

5. Todd Helton - 1.179 - Proving that last year was not a fluke.

6. Lance Berkman - 1.145 - Stepping up for the Astros.

7. Albert Pujols - 1.135 - Rookie of the year - maybe of the decade.

8. Doug Mientkiewicz - 1.125 - Surprise of this list. Has he really improved this much? Almost certainly not, but what's real may be enough.

9. J.D. Drew - 1.114 - Fulfilling his potential. Drew and Pujols have almost let the Cardinals forget that McGwire is out.

10. Jason Giambi - 1.083 - Last year's MVP has almost been forgotten amidst the Athletics' struggles, but he's having another great year.

11. Carlos Delgado - 1.072 - Year in and year out, he's one of baseball's greatest sluggers.

12. Rich Aurilia - 1.063 - He's outshining all the more publicized shortstops so far this year.

13. Alex Rodriguez - 1.055 - The best player in baseball, but he can't pitch.

14. Juan Gonzalez - 1.054 - His back has been holding up well enough to help lead the Indians into strong contention.

15. Phil Nevin - 1.053 - Yes, he's for real. But is he going to remain a Padre?

16. Jim Edmonds - 1.053 - He's the 3rd ranked Cardinal on this list, amazingly enough.

17. Cliff Floyd - 1.048 - Finally fully recovered from injuries and reaching his paek.

18. Ray Lankford - 1.044 - It's another Cardinal! Lankford has been down the last few years as a result of injuries, but it's way too early to write this fine player off.

19. Sammy Sosa - 1.030 - Only Sosa can call this a slow start.

20. Charles Johnson - 1.026 - The bargain signing of the off-season, but the Marlins may lose him if they don't get funding for a new stadium.

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