Los Angeles Dodgers: The Evolution of Andre Ethier

With 11 games under his belt in this 2012 season, Andre Ethier is playing exactly how the Los Angeles Dodgers need him to play: outstandingly.

While his play is being overshadowed by the magnificent performance being put on by teammate Matt Kemp (then again, so is the rest of baseball...) Andre Ethier is having a monster start to the season.

His .310 batting average is second only to Kemp's .450; however, Ethier leads all of Major League Baseball with 17 RBI going into tonight's action.

In 2011, Ethier had all of 62 RBI.  At this rate, he'll be there by the end of May.

Kemp and Ethier have combined for 10 home runs so far this season as well.

In other words, their chemistry is clicking at the right time for the two sluggers.

With these two players complementing each other as they do, the Dodgers are off to the best start in the National League and tied with the Texas Rangers for the hottest start in all of baseball with shared 9-2 records.

Funny, the early consensus was that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim would be running away with the best record in baseball right out of the gates.

While the Dodgers did lose last night in Milwaukee, Ethier still brought his "A" game in the losing effort, slamming a two-run home run in the eighth inning to give the boys in blue a 4-3 lead.

Sure, the team's six-game winning streak ended last night, but is there any Dodger fan who doesn't foresee several more (and some longer) winning streaks to come, especially with Ethier playing such an intricate role in the success of this club?

His defense is Gold Glove-caliber and he's batting out of his mind right now.

Ethier's desire to be traded back in August seems like such a far cry from where he is right now.  

He is proving his value to the new ownership, and if he continues to put forth the effort Dodger fans have witnessed in this young 2012 season, there's no reason to think the team won't lock him up for years to come. 

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