Brennan Boesch Continues To Bash for Detroit Tigers

Tigers fans know this probably won't last forever.

However, Brennan Boesch has continued his hot streak much longer than anyone could have expected when he was called up from Toledo on April 24th.

Prior to Wednesday night's game with the Nationals, Boesch had hit eight home runs on top of driving in 30 runs.

If Boesch had enough at-bats, he would rank fifth in the AL in batting average at .338, third in slugging percentage at .611, and fifth in OPS at .994.

He is doing it the old school way.  His hitting philosophy can be summed up in four words: see ball, hit ball.

In his first two at-bats Wednesday night against the Washington Nationals, Boesch saw exactly two pitches. Both pitches were each hit straight up the middle for solid base hits.

Later in the game, he showed off his power and hit another monstrous home run roughly 25 rows back in right field.

See ball, hit ball.

For some reason, Boesch still isn't getting the national respect he should deserve.

According to ESPN, he is owned in only 75 percent of fantasy leagues on their Web site.  On the all-star ballot, you have to write him in.

When you compare Boesch to fellow rookie star Jason Heyward, Boesch should be getting just as much attention, if not more.

Boesch leads Heyward in batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS.  If he began the season with the Tigers, Boesch would probably have equal or better power numbers than Heyward.

Yet, Heyward is owned by 100 percent of fantasy leagues on ESPN, and you do not have to write him in on the all-star ballot.

One of the reasons for Boesch's lack of popularity may reside in the fact that his performance has been so unexpected. If Carlos Guillen had never gone on the disabled list in April, Boesch might still be playing in Toledo for the AAA Mud Hens.

The Tigers certainly caught lightning in a bottle with this 25-year-old from Santa Monica, California.

Boesch's performance this season is arguably the biggest reason why the Tigers have remained above .500 and within striking distance of the Minnesota Twins.

If the Tigers are going to contend for a playoff spot this season, they will need Boesch to continue to do two things—see ball, hit ball.