My choices for the 5 best hitters in the Major Leagues (2007 stats in parenthesis)

1. Barry Bonds (.303 AVG, 3 HR, 8 RBI, .465 OBP, .636 SLG)

Barry #1? He only hit .270 with 26 home runs in 2006. He's 42 years old. How could I choose him as #1? Well his 2001-2004 seasons were not merely good. They were 4 of the greatest seasons in the history of baseball and because of that I feel the title "greatest hitter in the game" is his to lose. I don't feel he lost it last year despite his poor numbers (by Barry standards, he still had the best OBP in the major leagues last year, think about that.) because he was never really healthy and when he finally got kind of healthy towards the end of the year he was knocking the cover off the ball. This year he's healthy and this year he will prove he is still the best hitter in the major leagues, not only now, but ever.

2. Albert Pujols (.160 AVG, 3 HR, 7 RBI, .263 OBP, .380 SLG)

Pujols is the easy choice for best hitter in the game. He was the best hitter of 2005 and 2006 which to most will make him the choice this year. I understand this and it makes quite a bit of sense. I would have succumbed to the pressure of consensus and placed him at #1 but he's off to a horrendous start this year. I'd be willing to place a large bet that Barry Bonds will have a higher OPS than Albert Pujols this season.

3. Alex Rodriguez (.375 AVG, 8 HR, 21 RBI, .448 OBP, .979 SLG)

A-Rod has failed so miserably in the playoffs recently that many people have forgot what a great hitter he is usually. He is making people remember that this year. He's off to a blazing start. And while last year was a failure by his standards by most players standards it was still a very good season. He hit .290 with 35 home runs in 2006.

4. David Ortiz (.267 AVG, 4 HR, 12 RBI, .365 OBP, .622 SLG)

Ortiz had 47 homers and 148 RBI in 2005, 54 & 137 in 2006. This guy just gets it done. Unlike Rodriguez, Ortiz has made a name for himself with his clutch hitting.

5. Jim Thome (.306 AVG, 3 HR, 6 RBI, .479 OBP, .611 SLG)

Thome will most likely join the 500 home run club this year. He's hit at least 42 home runs in each of his last 5 full seasons. He seems somewhat overlooked quite often so here you are Jim, getting looked at.

Sorry to Jermaine Dye, Miguel Cabrera, Jason Giambi, Ryan Howard, Justin Morneau, Joe Mauer, Manny Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero, and all the other excellent hitters to not make my fantastical list. Better luck next time!