Top 10 Most Feared MLB Hitters of 2009

We are almost a full two months into the 2009 MLB season, and the majority of the most dangerous hitters have already established themselves at the plate.

For several reasons the players on this list represent baseball's scariest batters to face for pitchers.

The players on this list are leaders in the categories of home runs, walks, and RBI, the stats that are a red flag for major league pitchers.

From all across the league, both AL and NL, let's get started.

(All stats used are as of June 8, 2009.)

10. Evan Longoria, 3B, Tampa Bay Rays

Evan Longoria had an explosive start to the 2009 season, giving him an early reputation as a dangerous hitter.

Longoria started off with five home runs in his first week of the 2009 season. He has since then cooled off but is still a respectable batter at the plate.

Longoria is tied for the league lead in RBI with 55 and is destructive when players are in scoring position. He also has an established slugging percentage of over .600.

With 13 home runs and a .333 batting average, Evan Longoria grabs the well-earned 10 spot for most feared MLB hitters.

9. Jason Bay, LF, Boston Red Sox

Jason Bay has made a name for himself in Boston by excelling this year as an excellent batter.

Pitchers around the league fear Bay's amazing ability to get on base and producing runs.

Bay has been a key factor in MLB's most powerful offensive attack by knocking in runs. Bay leads the league in RBI with Longoria and becomes even more dangerous with runners in scoring position.

Jason Bay comes in at ninth in MLB's most feared hitters.

8. Mark Teixeira, 1B, New York Yankees

When Mark Teixeira approaches the pate, pitchers can do nothing but gulp. With 17 HRs and 50 RBI, Teixeira is a dangerous at-bat for any pitcher.

Teixeira's move to the Yankees has helped to established him as an excellent major league hitter.

With A-Rod batting right behind him, there is no right way to approach Teixeira from a pitching standpoint. But he doesn't need Alex to drive him in; Teixeira is currently tied for fourth in home runs this year.

These stats and Teixeira's dangerous swing grab Mark Teixeira a No. 8 spot on my list.

7. Alex Rodriguez, 3B, New York Yankees

Just like the Yankees lineup, A-Rod follows Teixeira on the list of most feared MLB batters in 2009.

Coming off his injury, Alex Rodriguez is doing his job for the Yankees once again.

A-Rod has been walked 23 times in less than 100 at-bats. This stat alone illustrates pitchers' opinions on the deadly batter.

No pitcher in baseball can say they aren't afraid when A-Rod comes up. Rodriguez's ability to yank homers at will brings him to No. 7 on my list.

6. Ryan Howard, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies

Ryan Howard is maybe one of the most feared and well-known home run sluggers of the recent years.

17 home runs. 47 RBIs. .557 slugging percentage.

Of all these impressive stats, what's the one that scares pitchers most?

68 strikeouts.

Howard's willingness to swing the bat results in more hits, homers, and RBI.

While just Ryan Howard's presence at the plate alone would scare a pitcher, he surely has the numbers to back up his reputation.

Howard claims the No. 6 spot in my list.

5. Adam Dunn, LF, Washington Nationals

Adam Dunn is not as much of a household name as the other stars on this list, but in the 2009 season, Dunn has truly come into himself as a big league hitter.

Dunn has gotten it done this year at the plate with 17 home runs and 52 hits.

The statistical category that shows most how much pitchers fear this batter is Dunn's 44 walks. This total is tied for first in MLB.

This major league surprise comes in as fifth on my list of the most feared batters in baseball.

4. Prince Fielder, 1B, Milwaukee Brewers

Prince Fielder is one of the most consistent batters in baseball, making him a formidable and dangerous opponent for any big league pitcher.

Fielder's ability to go yard, as well as drive in runs, has earned Prince a dangerous reputation in MLB.

His 54 RBI and 15 homers have resulted in pitchers throwing 44 walks. This proves how pitchers approach him as a batter.

Fielder is a well-known and well-feared batter for pitchers, making him No. 4 on my list of most dangerous hitters.

3. Raul Ibanez, LF, Philadelphia Phillies

Raul Ibanez was a surprise to the baseball community this year, as the Philly slugger established himself as a fearful batter to face.

At No. 3 on my list, Ibanez has the numbers to back up his newfound reputation.

Ibanez is in second in the majors for home runs with 19, a stat that surely scares any pitcher in the league.

Ibanez has shown no signs of letting up this season as he continues to go deep day after day.

Along with his spectacular 19 homers, Ibanez has 72 hits this year, proving he contributes in terms other than HRs.

Raul Ibanez comes in at a well-earned third on my list of dangerous MLB hitters.

2. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B, San Diego Padres

Adrian Gone-zalez comes in No. 2 due to an amazing first two months of slugging.

Gonzalez leads Major League Baseball in home runs, one of the most impressive stats there is.

Pitchers around the league watch in fear as Gonzalez continues his hitting rampage. When facing Gonzalez, pitchers have found little success and have issued 44 walks.

Watch as Gonzalez continues his tear and continues to scare pitchers during his career season.

With a hitter like this, who could No. 1 be?

1. Albert Pujols, 1B, St. Louis Cardinals

Albert Pujols is a home run hitting, RBI producing, walk generating machine.

Pujols is the scariest hitter in baseball for several reasons.

Albert Pujols' stats this year speak for themselves, as he has racked up 18 HRs and 51 RBI on 64 hits.

Pujols leads the league in on-base and slugging percentage this year among batters with 150-plus at-bats.

Along with these impressive totals, Pujols has 44 walks in just 190 at-bats. That means he is getting walked about a quarter of the time he approaches the plate.

This accurately represents pitchers' willingness to throw to him.

So, after two months of baseball, Albert Pujols claims the spot as the No. 1 most feared hitter this season.