Paul Konerko

BY ROB SHAW
sportsnet.ca

Here's a look at the surprise sluggers this season:

1) Paul Konerko, 1B, White Sox

Lost in the conversation for American League MVP is 34-year-old Paul Konerko. The long-time, White Sox first baseman has blasted 40-plus home runs twice before, but after combining for 50 dingers over the last two seasons, his sudden return to slugging is a surprise. Konerko has kept the White Sox in contention not just with his 36 home runs and 104 RBI, but also with a .322 average that is currently a career best.

2) Aubrey Huff, 1B, Orioles

A rotation between up-and-down seasons is nothing new to this 33-year-old veteran. In 2007 with the Orioles, Huff had just 15 home runs in 550 at-bats. The next season, he pounded 32 home runs in 598 at-bats. Then last season, he regressed with 15 home runs in 536 at bats. Through 506 at-bats this season, Huff already has 24 home runs with 81 RBI and a .294 average. Huff has provided pop in a Giants line-up that is desperate for it.

3) David Ortiz, 1B, Red Sox

Even though he finished last season with 28 home runs and 99 RBI, Big Papi seemed to be in the twilight of his career, as his average was just .238 and was linked to the use of banned substances during his glory years. The opening month of this season seemed to confirm that, as Ortiz had just eight hits and one home run through April. Just when it seemed that the Red Sox would have to bench Ortiz or cut him loose, he went on a power expedition. Ortiz belted 10 home runs with a .363 average in May, then followed it up with another six homeruns and 22 RBI in June. At the moment, Ortiz boasts 29 home runs and 88 RBI with a .260 average. The 34-year-old is suddenly expected to have a couple of years left in him.

4) Luke Scott, 1B, Orioles

A late bloomer, Luke Scott has evolved into a legit power threat for the Baltimore Orioles after starting his career in Houston. The 32-year-old has maintained his career trend of establishing a new high in home runs each season. Scott has swatted 26 dingers this season in only 116 games. To put his .505 career slugging percentage in perspective, consider that it currently ranks ahead of Yankees stars Robinson Cano and Jorge Posada.

5) Ike Davis, 1B, Mets

One of the few positives of the Mets season has been the development of rookie first baseman Ike Davis. The 2008 first-round pick boasts 18 home runs this season with 67 RBI and a .260 average. He has been able to solve the Mets cavernous ballpark Citi Field, where he has blasted seven home runs with 34 RBI and a .288 average. Davis projects to be a slugger capable of 30 homeruns a few years down the line.

6) Jose Bautista, 3B, Blue Jays

Early on, I made it clear that I felt it would be impossible for Jose Bautista to maintain his unprecedented power surge. I was dead wrong. The former utility man has evolved into the première slugger in baseball. More than 40% of Bautista's homeruns have come this season. Bautista may be a mystery, but he certainly is a reality.

7) Adrian Beltre, 3B, Red Sox

While I was wrong on Bautista, I was right with Adrian Beltre. I predicted before the season that a turnaround was expected for Beltre now that he was fleeing the pitcher-friendly Safeco Field for Fenway Park. Beltre has put together an MVP caliber season with a .328 average, 27 home runs, 96 RBI, and a .931 OPS. At just 31 years old, Beltre now has 1,002 RBI, just 154 fewer than Ortiz, who is four years older than him.

8) Casey McGehee, 3B, Brewers

McGehee burst onto the fantasy scene last season with 16 home runs and a .301 average. This season, the 27-year-old super-utility-man adapted to third base where he has pounded a career-best 22 home runs with 94 RBI. McGehee has managed to become a surprise slugger in back-to-back seasons.

9) Scott Rolen, 3B, Reds

He practically begged out of Phialdelphia and then argued with Tony La Russa in St. Louis, and yet Scott Rolen is the heart and soul of the first-place Cincinnati Reds. The greatest obstacle for Rolen over the past few years has been his inability to stay healthy. The last time Rolen played 120 games in a season (which he accomplished last night), was back in 2006. When Rolen is healthy, he is always productive. He blasted 22 home runs with 95 RBI and a .296 average during that 2006 season. This season, Rolen has belted 19 home runs with 79 RBI and a .292 average.

10) Chase Headley, 3B, Padres

A perfect fit in San Diego's Petco Park, Chase Headley is a line-drive machine who reaches base, swipes bags, and scores runs. While his 10 home runs may not rank well for a corner infielder, Headley does have 17 steals and 72 runs scored. At 26-year's old, the Padres are hoping that Headley can provide team MVP Adrian Gonzalez some support in the line-up.