Texas Rangers: 6 Reasons Josh Hamilton Can Continue to Dominate 2012

Josh Hamilton has gotten off to a torrid start in 2012, and there are factors that point to him continuing his dominance.

Hamilton has been one of the best hitters in the American League over the last five years. This season has been no different for the 31-year-old as he's posted a .381 batting average with nine home runs and 26 RBIs. He leads the American League in both home runs and RBIs and is second to Derek Jeter in batting average.

Although it's very early in the season, Hamilton has emerged as a Triple Crown contender. Obviously, he'll have to continue putting up gaudy numbers to have a chance at a Triple Crown, but Hamilton has proven he will be a top player in the American League if he stays healthy.

Here are six reasons why you can expect Hamilton to continue swinging a hot bat.

1. All-Star Caliber

Josh Hamilton has performed at an elite level the last four years and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Hamilton is a four-time All-Star as well as the 2010 MVP.

The lone down year for Hamilton during the past four years came in an injured 2009 season when he hit just .268 with 10 home runs and 54 RBIs in 89 games.

However, he followed that season up with his MVP season in which he hit career-highs in batting average (.359) and home runs (32).

He's hit at least .295, 25 home runs and drove in 94 runs in his other three seasons.

Basically, Hamilton will consistently post a .300-30-100 type of season.

He's off to a great start in 2012, and his past four seasons prove he's a consistent hitter.

2. Contract Season

Josh Hamilton enters the 2012 season in the final year of his contract with the Texas Rangers.

Contract seasons can put extra pressure on some players, but oftentimes it leads to a more focused player who is determined to prove what he's worth. Hamilton is the type of player who has the mental focus, determination and talent to excel in a contract season.

This will likely be the last major contract Hamilton will sign as he is set to turn 32 later this month.

Prince Fielder put up big numbers for the Brewers last season and Carlos Beltran carried the Houston Astros in the 2004 playoffs in contract seasons. Both players reaped the benefits with huge contracts with new teams in the offseason.

It is unclear where Hamilton wishes to play the rest of his career.

However, it is safe to say Hamilton will use the contract extension as extra motivation to succeed this year.

3. Rangers Lineup

The Texas Rangers can hit up and down the lineup and have one of the best lineups in baseball. This will only help Josh Hamilton in 2012.

It starts at the top of the order with middle infielders Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus. Andrus is hitting .302 while Kinsler has a .378 on-base percentage. They are getting on base in front of Hamilton, which is giving him ample opportunities to drive in runs.

Hamilton is also fortunate to have protection behind him in Adrian Beltre, Michael Young and Nelson Cruz. Cruz is off to a rough start this season but Beltre is hitting .318 with five home runs while Young is hitting .315 with two home runs.

Even down the lineup further is the solid Mitch Moreland and powerful Mike Napoli.

Rangers' opponents can't find a weakness in this lineup. People getting on in front of Hamilton and having protection behind will lead to continued success in 2012.

4. Summer Months

Josh Hamilton has historically not hit many home runs early in the season.

In 2011, Hamilton only had one home run at the end of May. In his MVP season in 2010 he had as many home runs at the end of May as he has now with nine. The most home runs Hamilton has hit in April is six, which he did in the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

Hamilton already has nine just a week into May as he heads to the months where he usually hits more home runs. As the weather heats up in the months of June through August, so has Hamilton's bat. In 2010, he hit over .350 and more than five home runs in each of those months.

Only in his injury-plagued 2009 season did Hamilton have a rough summer.

Hamilton is approaching the portion of the season where he normally does his most damage, which is bad news for the rest of the American League.

5. World Series Motivation

The last two seasons ended in heartbreaking fashion for the Texas Rangers as they fell in the World Series.

Last year's was extremely brutal as they were one out away from winning it before the St. Louis Cardinals rallied for the win and eventual championship. It's a tough pill to swallow for the Rangers and Hamilton, but that feeling will continue to push them this season.

It's incredibly tough to repeat due to many factors, but one is a lack of motivation. The Rangers will not have to deal with that and the way they lost the last two years should serve as extra motivation to get over the hump this year.

So far, the Rangers have used that motivation to take them to first place in the AL West behind Hamilton. Hamilton is the leader of the team and will continue to push the team to achieve its goal with his performance.

6. Ballpark in Arlington

Josh Hamilton has been tearing it up wherever he's played at this season.

However, the past few years Hamilton has generally put up better numbers at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. He's had more home runs and RBIs at home in his last four seasons, and in 2010 he hit twice as many home runs at home as he did on the road.

Hamilton's batting average does not seem to consistently be greater at home or away, but there is a noticeable difference in the other two categories.

Players consider the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington to be one of the best hitting ballparks in the major leagues. Hamilton has taken full advantage of the park in the past and look for more of the same to continue in 2012.

He thrives at home, which will only help him continue his dominant season.