MLB Baseball: Top 7 Most Underrated Hitters in the National League

Every year in baseball, we have a number of great hitters that the media just loves to ignore.

It is no different this year. Whether it's because these hitters are overshadowed by bigger names or play for bad, small-market clubs, they simply need to start getting more attention.

I am only basing this list on this year's performance and not taking into account what these hitters have done in the past.

Here's a look at the seven most underrated hitters in the NL based on their 2012 performance.

Many of these guys aren't household names, but would be if they got the attention they deserved from the media.

7. Jonathan Lucroy (Brewers) Catcher

This really isn't a surprise for anyone that follows the Brewers closely. Lucroy also had a solid year at the plate last year in his first full season in the majors.

There really is no reason not to call Lucroy one of the best hitting catchers in the majors.

He isn't hitting for as much as power as some would like with only two home runs, but his .330 average is downright amazing.

In fact, he has the second best average not only in the NL, but in all of baseball when it comes to qualifying catchers.

Lucroy is not only hitting for average, but he also rarely strikes out, fanning only 17 times all year.

His on base percentage of .375 is also impressive.

Defensively, Lucroy has only committed one error the entire season, giving him a fielding percentage of .996.

He doesn't get the attention he deserves because of names like Ryan Braun, Aramis Ramirez and Corey Hart, but Jonathan Lucroy has established himself as one of the best hitting catchers in the majors.

6. Rafael Furcal (Cardinals) Shortstop

Wow, what a resurgent year Rafael Furcal is having.

After having the worst year of his career last season, Furcal is once again looking like the player he used to be.

He is currently hitting .359, which is tied for second in the NL, only behind David Wright.

Furcal's on base percentage of .425 ranks sixth in the NL, and eighth in the majors.

St. Louis easily has one of the best offenses in the majors this season, and Furcal has been a catalyst at the top of the batting order.

He has only struck out 16 times all year, and is even running a little bit with seven stolen bases so far.

The key to winning a batting title for Furcal will be staying healthy, as he hasn't played in more than 150 games since 2006.

5. Adam LaRoche (Nationals) 1st Base

After an injury-plagued 2011, Adam LaRoche is once again looking like the player he was when he was with Atlanta and Pittsburgh.

Not only is LaRoche hitting for power with six home runs, but his .325 average ranks second in NL first basemen.

But of course, the media is paying no attention to him, even though the Nationals are doing great this season.

With names like Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper currently playing in DC, the media would rather focus on them.

Besides, who wouldn't much rather hear about Harper's dugout tantrums and mishaps?

LaRoche can just keep getting on base (.419 OBP) and hitting for power and average, yet he'll likely receive little to no attention.

4. Jose Altuve (Astros) 2nd Base

I had a hard time putting Altuve this high considering what he's been doing lately. With that being said, I just couldn't ignore what he did the first month of the season.

As recently as two-and-a-half weeks ago, Altuve was still hitting .373.

It's dropped all the way down to .309, but only because he has been in a major slump lately.

This guy is only 22 years old, and is one of the main reasons the Astros aren't terrible this season. He is really one of the bright young players in the game.

Altuve was thrust into action last season when Houston unloaded many of their good players, and he managed to hit a solid .276 in over 220 at bats.

Altuve doesn't strike out much and has managed a solid .354 OBP. He also has a respectable six stolen bases.

As long as the Astros aren't in contention, Jose Altuve will continue to be ignored by the media.

3. Carlos Beltran (Cardinals) Right Field

Some may think it is extremely odd to have Beltran here at No. 3. Yes, he is a household name and is recognized by the media, but with that being said, I still don't think he is getting the attention he deserves.

What he has been doing here in 2012 is nothing short of amazing. After a few injury-plagued seasons with the Mets, Beltran has bounced back in a huge way. The Cardinals needed a bat to compensate for the loss of Pujols, and Beltran is putting up typical Pujols-like numbers.

Just about every offensive stat has been impressive. His .295 average is solid, but it's his power numbers that are mind blowing.

Beltran's 13 home runs lead the NL, and are tied for second in the majors behind Josh Hamilton's 18. His 32 RBI are only one behind Andre Ethier's NL-leading 33.

He has scored 28 runs this season, second in the NL only to Matt Kemp's 29. He may obviously be taking over the lead on that stat real soon though.

Beltran has also walked 21 times this year, which is tied for fifth in the NL. With Matt Kemp out, it's fair to say that Beltran has just a good of a shot at the MVP as anybody else.

He is 35 though, so it will be interesting to see if he can keep it up all season.

2. Carlos Ruiz (Phillies) Catcher

Carlos Ruiz has been one of the few bright spots in what has been a terrible Phillies offense this season. In fact, you could make the case that he has been their best hitter.

The fact that he is hitting for average isn't too much of a surprise, but the fact that it is all the way up at .337 is shocking. That leads all major league catchers.

What's really been shocking about his game is how he is hitting for power. He has never hit double-digit home runs once in his career, but he already has six this season. What's even more impressive is that he's done it in just barely over 100 at bats.

Ruiz has only struck out 12 times all season and knows how to get on base. He currently has a .379 OBP.

Ryan Howard and Chase Utley haven't played in a single game this season, but as long as they reside in Philadelphia, Ruiz will continue to be overshadowed by them.

1. Bryan LaHair (Cubs) 1st Base

This was an absolute no-brainer. Coming into the season, nobody seemed to know who this guy was, and understandably, as he had never played in more than 45 games in one season.

However, nobody still seems to know who he is, even though he has been tearing up NL pitching all season long.

Like Beltran, so many of LaHair's offensive stats are impressive. I can't decide what's more impressive; the fact that he's hitting .352 or that he already has 10 home runs.

That .352 average is good for fourth in the NL, and his 10 home runs is tied for third.

LaHair also has a ridiculously high on base percentage of .445, good for fifth in the NL. His current OPS sits at 1.158, which trails only two guys in the majors: Josh Hamilton and Matt Kemp.

With Matt Kemp on the DL, I think LaHair and Beltran should be the front-runners for MVP.

If he keeps these numbers up, he'll start to get recognized a bit more by the media, but as long as he plays in Chicago, he'll never get the attention he currently deserves.