MLB All Up, No Down: The Best of May

I couldn't ignore him any longer; he finally found a way to get on one of my lists again.

Of course, I'm talking about Lance Berkman and his lethal bat. I'd give Lance my superdelegate vote in 2008, no doubt.

We also have a repeat appearance by a lone American League hitter. The National League is just killing the ball.

Hitters

Lance Berkman, 1B/OF Astros

You may know Lance Berkman was good this past month. But do you want to know how good?

He has been .471 average good in the month of May. This is a guy hitting in the middle of the lineup for Houston, yet he managed to score 31 times. That just goes to show you how many times he's been on base.

His season on-base percentage equals his hitting average for May, and he has also knocked in 22 runs.

Simply put, the guy does everything—he also hit nine home runs and stole six bases.

I tip my hat to Lance Berkman, who should never be pitched to for the rest of the year.

Dan Uggla, 2B Marlins

Speaking of not pitching to, Dan Uggla has hit a lot of home runs this month. Just about every three games, Uggla knocks one out of the park.

Uggla went deep 12 times this month, which is far and away the most of May. He also hit .362 and knocked in 26 runs.

Florida's slugging second baseman has been their horse for May, is there any wonder they are on top of the National League East?

Alfonso Soriano, OF Cubs

There was a stretch in May in which no pitcher was able to successfully retire Alfonso Soriano. He was hitting home runs at an insane pace.

Soriano finished May with the most runs batted in in the National League, not too bad for a leadoff hitter.

In fact he knocked in 29 runs compared to scoring just 20. Forget scoring them when you can knock them in.

Soriano also carried a .357 average with two stolen bases and ten home runs.

Ryan Ludwick, OF Cardinals

He shares time in a very crowded outfield in St. Louis, one that sees a group of outfielders get the job done.

While Rick Ankiel gets all the attention, it's Ryan Ludwick mashing the ball with authority.

Ludwick hit .333 this past month, with nine home runs and 26 runs batted in. He also stole a base and scored 19 runs.

What's funny is that he did all of this in 87 at bats. For comparison, Alfonso Soriano got 112.

Josh Hamilton, OF Rangers

I won't hold a guy out just because he made it last month. Josh Hamilton started quickly and hasn't let up.

The major league leader in runs batted in with 61 is the lone AL hitter on the list. He has been far and away the MVP of the American League so far.

Hamilton hit .330 with a league high 29 runs batted in, 22 runs scored and two stolen bases.

He also hit eight home runs, which has put him tied for the lead in that category.

At this point, Hamilton is a legitimate Triple Crown candidate playing in Texas.

Honorable Mentions

The National League was so good this past month once again. But let's not forget the good performances in the American League.

Ian Kinsler stole eight bases in May, hit .333 and knocked in 21 runs. Carlos Quentin didn't have the high average, but he was the definition of clutch, knocking in 27 runs himself. In the National League, Shane Victorino scored 28 times and stole 11 bases.

Pitchers

Scott Kazmir, SP Rays

Scott Kazmir came off the disabled list and immediately put himself in the Cy Young race.

With a lack of proven pitchers in the early mix, Kazmir is a familiar face putting up video game like numbers.

Kazmir won five of his six starts, and in his five wins has given up only two earned runs. Take away his first start of the year in which he surrendered three, and Kazmir has been untouchable.

Kazmir also struck out 38 batters, and his Rays are on top of all of baseball.

Shaun Marcum, SP Blue Jays

Shaun Marcum has been good, here are his numbers.

Three wins over 45 plus innings, with a 2.18 ERA and 41 strikeouts.

Doc Halladay isn't the only good starter in Toronto. Yet, no one pays attention to Shaun Marcum, which is why his section is so short.

Jose Valverde, RP Astros

Valverde had a very odd month, after a shaky April in which his closers job might have been in jeopardy.

When I say odd, I do mean good but with some odd thrown in.

Valverde converted ten saves this month, won a game and carried a 1.20 ERA over 15 innings. He also struck out 16 hitters.

The odd part was a game in which he took a hard liner right off his face. To his credit, he shook it off and all be it in a nerve wracking way, converted the save.

Edinson Volquez, SP Reds

The major league leader in ERA had a great month, including a victory of the American League leader in ERA.

Edinson Volquez threw 38 plus innings in the month of May, including a relief appearance in an extra inning marathon against the Padres. He was tagged with the loss when he gave up the walk off home to Adrian Gonzalez.

Volquez carried a 1.63 ERA and was a strikeout nightmare, sitting down 50 hitters via the punch out.

Aaron Laffey, SP Indians

You could very well just put the Indians Rotation as whole up in this spot, but the young Aaron Laffey is the perfect representation.

Laffey was supposed to be a fill in for Jake Westbrook, but when Fausto Carmona went down just as Westbrook was coming back, Laffey got to stay.

The young sinkerball pitcher threw 34 innings in May, earned three wins, and sported a very strong 0.79 ERA. He also struck out 19 hitters.

Laffey is following in the steps of Fausto Carmona, and if he keeps it up, he will be much more than an injury replacement.

Honorable Mentions

It's easy to see why there is only one American League hitter and one National League starting pitcher on this list. In the end, it all balances out.

Francisco Rodriguez, the American League leader in saves notched 10 this month, and carried a .73 ERA. Shaun Marcum's teammate, Roy Halladay won four times and struck out 40 batters. In the National League, Tim Hudson won four times and had an ERA of 2.25.

In the month of June, you should keep a watchful eye on both Lance Berkman and Josh Hamilton. I'm pretty sure both are going to make return appearances on this list.