Chicago White Sox: 4 Hitters Who Have Opened Strong in 2012

The Chicago White Sox begin the week the winners of four of their last five games and in second place in the American League Central Division. The season is just a couple of weeks old, but the 5-3 White Sox have won two series against division foes.

Chicago awaits the Baltimore Orioles at U.S. Cellular Field after winning two of three with Detroit over the weekend. Several White Sox hitters have gotten off to strong starts in 2012. After eight games, here is a quartet of bats that have shined so far.

1. Paul Konerko

The captain has gotten off to another nice start to his season, showing little sign of slowing down at age 36.

Konerko hit his first home run of the season Saturday afternoon and has 12 hits to easily lead the ballclub. Heading into this week's action, he is carrying a .387 batting average and is second on the team with seven RBI.

2. A.J. Pierzynski

Pierzynski, batting primarily out of the fifth spot in the order, leads the team with eight runs batted in. Four of those RBI came last Wednesday in Cleveland when he went 3-for-4 with a homer in Chicago's 10-6 win over the Indians.

In six games this season, he has two home runs and a .292 average. Saturday saw the catcher leg out a triple that knocked in Konerko in the 5-1 win over the Tigers.

3. Dayan Viciedo

Viciedo is learning the ropes in left field in 2012 and is starting the season with the White Sox for the first time. So far, his bat has been up to the challenge.

Viciedo, who has been slow to warm up in the spring in his career, lined a shot over the center-field wall Sunday for his second dinger of the year. Despite dropping the series finale to the Tigers 5-2, the Cuban Tank has hit .280 and is showing signs of the power that had fans salivating at his Triple-A numbers last summer.

4. Adam Dunn

Dunn hasn't lit the league on fire so far, but the fact that he has shown some pop in his bat and has his average near his career numbers (.233) is cause to celebrate.

Yes, Dunn leads the team with 13 strikeouts. His on-base percentage is also .324, trailing only Konerko on the White Sox.

Of course, Dunn is hitless in 11 at-bats against left-handers. Maybe we should check back in with Dunn in a week.