Phillies' second baseman on a tear to start the year, leading the majors in home runs and slugging while in the top 10 in seven categories.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Chase.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "H. Rumph Jr", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "380", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Chipper Jones","NL MVP watch
2. Chipper Jones
Atlanta Braves 3B
Jones doesn't seem to age, off to the best start of his career while hitting over .400 for the month and leading the NL in OPS.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Chipper.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Gregory Smith", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "349", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Pat Burrell","NL MVP watch
3. Pat Burrell
Philadelphia Phillies OF
The career .260 hitter is off to a blistering start, leading the league in RBI while in the top three in homers, slugging and OPS.
","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Burrell.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Morry Gash", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "420", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Hanley Ramirez","NL MVP watch
4. Hanley Ramirez
Florida Marlins SS
What can't this guy do? Ramirez is rounding into one of the most complete players in baseball. He's second in home runs and stolen bases in the NL, plays, is ranked in the top 10 in hitting and is the lynchpin of the surprising Marlins.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Hanley.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "J. Pat Carter)", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "426", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Lance Berkman","NL MVP watch
5. Lance Berkman
Houston Astros 1B
Ranked in the top five of four major NL categories, including home runs, runs and slugging.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Berkman.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Lenny Ignelzi", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "348", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","A.L. MVP ","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Manny Ramirez","AL MVP watch
1. Manny Ramirez
Boston Red Sox OF
Sometimes, \"Manny being Manny\" is a very good thing. And Ramirez is showing all the signs of a monster year, hammering the ball while leading the AL in slugging and batting. Manny is also in the top 10 of seven different categories.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Manny.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Michael Dwyer", "AP", "273", "386", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Josh Hamilton","AL MVP watch
2. Josh Hamilton
Texas Rangers OF
Perhaps the Cincinnati Reds thought they were trading Hamilton when his value was high, but the former No. 1 draft pick continues to surprise with a batting average over .330, and a league-leading RBI total while playing a strong outfield.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/JoshHamilton.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Otto Greule Jr", "Getty Images", "273", "342", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Carlos Quentin","AL MVP watch
3. Carlos Quentin
Chicago White Sox OF
Quick, name the AL leader in OPS? Quentin has been a revelation for Chicago, ranking in the top five of six different AL categories including home runs, on-base percentage and slugging.
","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/CarlosQuentin.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Charles Rex Arbogast", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "341", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Magglio Ordonez","AL MVP watch
4. Magglio Ordonez
Detroit Tigers OF
Fresh off his 2007 AL batting crown, Ordonez has returned just as hot, hitting over .300 and ranking in the top 10 in three categories.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Magglio.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Duane Burleson", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "352", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Casey Kotchman","AL MVP watch
5. Casey Kotchman
Los Angeles Angels 1B
Scouts always believed that Kotchman had power, but it seems to finally have emerged in him this year, as he's tied for the AL lead in home runs and fifth in OPS for the Angels.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Kotchman.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Tom Olmscheid", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "333", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","N.L. Cy Young ","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Brandon Webb","NL Cy Young watch
1. Brandon Webb
The 2006 Cy Young winner has gotten off to a blazing start with six wins in his first six starts and a sparkling 1.98 ERA for the scorching Diamondbacks.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Webb.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Marcio Jose Sanchez", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "371", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Carlos Zambrano","NL Cy Young watch
2. Carlos Zambrano
Last year, Zambrano got off to a horrid start and still ended up winning 18 games. This year, he's 4-1 with a 2.21 ERA after six starts. ","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Zambrano.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Brian Kersey", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "358", "239", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Jake Peavy","NL Cy Young watch
3. Jake Peavy
The Padres' ace and defending Cy Young winner has proven himself to be a perennial candidate with his plus repertoire and movement. The righty is 3-1 with a 2.09 ERA through his first six starts.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Peavy.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Denis Poroy", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "351", "278", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Tim Lincecum","NL Cy Young watch
4. Tim Lincecum
The Giants' righty was a hard-luck loser in his last start, but leads the league in strikeouts to go along with his 4-1 record and 1.73 ERA.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Lincecum.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Ben Margot", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "379", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Ben Sheets","NL Cy Young watch
5. Ben Sheets
For Ben Sheets, it's never been a question of talent; it's always been a matter of health. Sheets is 4-0 with a 1.64 ERA in his first five starts, but beware; he's experienced triceps soreness in a recent start.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Sheets.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Darren Hauck", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "350", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","A.L. Cy Young ","","","","", "sub", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Cliff Lee","AL Cy Young watch
1. Cliff Lee
One measly earned run separates Cliff Lee from having a perfect ERA after four full starts. The Indians southpaw has won all four games in which he's taken the hill, and sports a ridiculous 0.28 ERA. Perhaps most impressive is his 29-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/CliffLee.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Ed Zurga", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "388", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Joe Saunders","AL Cy Young watch
2. Joe Saunders
When Bartolo Colon and the Angels parted ways, the team hoped Saunders could step into the rotation and contribute right away. The early verdict is a resounding yes with five wins, a 2.08 ERA and only 31 hits allowed in 43.1 innings.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/JoeSaunders.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Gus Ruelas", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "347", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Zack Greinke","AL Cy Young watch
3. Zack Greinke
Greinke continues his fabulous comeback story from nearly quitting the game to becoming a legitimate starter in the big leagues. The 24-year-old righty has three wins and a microscopic 1.25 ERA.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Greinke.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Kevin P. Casey", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "425", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Mariano Rivera","AL Cy Young watch
4. Mariano Rivera
The guy gets older but doesn't seem to age. While the rest of the Yankees have sputtered, the perennial all-star closer has been his usual self. Eight saves and a 0.00 ERA with only four hits in 11 innings of work.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Mariano.hlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "", "Brian Kersey", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "273", "308", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spts_MLB_Best[i++] = new Array("","Felix Hernandez","AL Cy Young watch
5. Felix Hernandez
Poor run support during his starts has limited \"The King\" to only two wins, but he's shown that he might improve on last year's breakthrough season with a 2.22 ERA and a league-leading 41 whiffs.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Sections/Personal/Chiappetta%2C%20Mike/MLB/MLB%20Best%20so%20far/Felix.vlarge.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "Jim Bryant", "ASSOCIATED PRESS", "358", "274", "#000000", "", "", "", ""); // END editorial data