Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers (Image: Zuma Press)

1) Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers
Some Dodgers fans thought the closer spot in the bullpen could be shaky in 2009. Guess again. Broxton has eight saves, an era of 0.56, a WHIP of 0.38 and 27 strikeouts in 16 innings.

2) Frank Francisco, Texas Rangers
The Rangers gave Francisco the closers job. So far, so great. He hasn’t given up a run yet and has nine saves and a win.

3) Heath Bell, San Diego Padres
Another closer who has yet to give up a run, Heath Bell has been a huge hit for the Padres and big reason why they are doing better than most experts predicted.

4) Francisco Rodriguez, New York Mets
The Mets went into the offseason trying to strengthen their bullpen. To do that, they signed Rodriguez away from the Angels. His nine saves and 1.08 ERA point to a very good signing.

5) Ryan Franklin, St. Louis Cardinals
Franklin is doing a fine work as the Cardinals closer. He has nine saves, an ERA of 1.23 and a WHIP of 0.68.

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1) Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
Only in his second year, Evan Longoria is quickly making a case for being the best third baseman in all of fantasy baseball. He already has 34 RBI, 21 runs and eight homers on the season.

2) Michael Young, Texas Rangers
Prior to the season, Michael Young didn’t sound too happy about moving over to third base. Now that he’s playing at the hot corner, his bat is also hotter than expected.

3) Brandon Inge, Detroit Tigers
Inge plays all over the field for the Tigers — from third base to the outfield to catcher. Not only has he been useful in the field, he’s been a monster at the plate this year, too.

4) Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals
Earlier in the season, the Nationals gave Zimmerman a hefty contract extension. With his play so far this year, he’s showing why he is the best thing going for Washington.

5) Mike Lowell, Boston Red Sox
Some scouts thought Lowell could fall off this year but 2009 has started off well for the veteran third baseman. His 26 RBIs at the position only trail Longoria.

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Raul Ibanez, Philadelphia Philles
The World Series champions added Ibanez over the offseason to get another big bat in their lineup. So far, he’s been a great addition. He already has 20 runs, 19 RBIs and seven homers.

Nick Markakis, Baltimore Orioles
Markakis has been one of the hottest prospects in baseball for years and he is showing why this season. He’s hitting .379 with 25 runs, 24 RBIs and three homers. With solid bats around him in Baltimore, he should continue to produce.

Adam Jones, Baltimore Orioles
Markakis’ Orioles teammate is having a very good season. He was a sleeper heading into the season and he’s showing his potential. He has a .432 on-base percentage to go with 26 runs, 18 RBI, four homers and two stolen bases.

Torii Hunter, Los Angeles Angels
Last season’s big free agent signing, Hunter has helped keep the Angels together this season. He’s stepped into a leadership position on and off the field. Hunter has 20 runs, eight RBI and 16 runs.

Alfonso Soriano, Chicago Cubs
Although his .272 batting average isn’t spectacular, he has 22 runs, 14 RBI, seven homers and four stolen bases. As always, the sky is the limit for Soriano.

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5) Carlos Pena, Tampa Bay Rays
Although his batting average is lower than preferred (.256), Carlos Pena is off to an otherwise fantastic start for the Rays. He already has nine homers in his first 22 games, while also driving in 24 RBIs, scoring 14 runs and walking 11 times.

4) Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox
Kevin Youkilis was an MVP candidate last season. This season, he’s hitting even better. Through 21 games, the slugger is hitting .395 with five homers, 15 RBI, 20 runs and 14 walks. His on-base percentage is at an astronomical .505.

3) Jorge Cantu, Florida Marlins
Jorge Cantu has long been considered a solid prospect but he has really started off well this season. He’s hitting .365 with seven homers, 22 RBI and 15 runs. He’s on pace to shatter is already good numbers from 2008.

2) Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego Padres
Some scouts wondered if Adrian Gonzalez could keep up his great hitting ways despite playing in a pitcher-friendly ballpark and for a bad team. So far this season, he’s proving all doubters wrong. Gonzalez is hitting .333 with nine homers, 20 RBI, 19 runs and an on-base percentage of .438.

1) Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
So far, Albert Pujols has been the most valuable hitter in all of fantasy baseball. The Cardinals first baseman tops our rankings by batting .337 with eight homers, 28 RBI, 22 runs and even four stolen bases. He has to be considered the early favorite for National League MVP.

Albert Pujols of the Cardinals (Image: Newscom)

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Garza finished the night was 7.2 innings pitched while giving up only one hit and one walk. He struck out ten batters on his way to lowering his season’s ERA to 3.82 and picking up his second win. Grant Balfour finished off the game and the Rays easily beat the Red Sox by a final count of 13-0.

At the plate, the hitting hero for the Rays was Evan Longaria. The second-year star went 3-for-5 with three runs and four RBIs. His big hit was a homer in the sixth inning. Backup catcher Michel Hernandez was 4-for-5 with a run and three RBIs.

On the mound for the Red Sox, Josh Beckett struggled mightily. He gave up seven earned runs in 4.2 innings. He allowed ten hits and three walks. After looking impressive in his first start of the season, Beckett has looked worse and worse as the season has progressed. He now sports a 7.22 ERA after five starts.

Matt Garza, Tampa Bay Rays (Image: Newscom)

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In return, the Giants will receive two minor leagues for the 36-year-old Durham. Steve Hammond and Darren Ford are reportedly the two minor leaguers the Giants will receive. San Francisco is definitely in a rebuilding mode and they had little use for the veteran Durham.

The Brewers will be better with the addition of Durham. Rickie Weeks, their current starting second baseman, has a batting average near the Mendoza Line. While Durham might not start everyday at second base, he’ll play that position and other positions for the Brewers.

The Durham trade isn’t as big as the C.C. Sabathia trade the Brewers completed earlier in the month, but it will pay dividends.

Ray Durham, Milwuakee Brewers

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The good news is that Percival’s injury isn’t considered serious. The Rays expect him to make a complete and relatively quick recovery.

Percival has been a big part of the Rays playing higher than expectations. Tampa Bay is in first place in the AL East with a record of 32-22. Last season, the Rays had the worst record in baseball at 66-96.

Percival hadn’t been a full-time closer in the major leagues since 2004, yet he’s had a lot of success this season. He has an ERA of 2.95 and has 14 saves in 16 chances. His 14 saves are more than he had the last three seasons combined.

Until Percival is able to return, the Rays are expected to use a rotation of pitchers to close games.

Photo: Newscom

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Pat Burrell, Philadelphia Phillies
Pat Burrell has always had a lot of potential. This season, he might be finally figuring everything out. He has a career-high batting average of .305, a career-high on-base percentage of .432 and has nine homeruns and 30 RBIs.

Nate McLouth, Pittsburgh Pirates
This 26-year-old player has been a bit player for most of his big league career. The Pirates gave McLouth a chance to be an everyday player this season and he has responded fantastically. He’s hitting .324 with nine homers and 29 RBIs.

Carlos Quentin, Chicago White Sox
At 25, Carlos Quentin is taking advantage of his opportunity to be the everyday left fielder for the White Sox. He’s hitting .278 with eight dingers and 25 RBIs.

Photo: Newscom

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Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers
Ian Kinsler has really been hitting the ball well as of late. For the season, he has two homers, 14 RBIs, 21 runs scored and a batting average of .288. The 25-year-old is quickly becoming one of the better players at his position in the American League.

Chone Figgins, Los Angeles Angels
Although he hasn’t hit a homer or a triple yet this season, the Angels’ second baseman is hitting the ball well. Chone Figgins is hitting .306 with nine RBIs, 18 runs scored and 11 stolen bases.

Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins
Earlier in the 2008 season, Dan Uggla was struggling so much that some in Florida were wondering whether he would hold onto his starting job. Since then, however, Uggla has turned it around. On the season, he’s hitting .267 with seven homers, 19 RBIs and 18 runs.

Photo: Newscom

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Rodriguez joined Jorge Posada on the DL. Posada has an injured throwing shoulder that isn’t allowing him to catch. Posada, who went on the DL for the first time in his career, isn’t sure when he’ll be back. The good news is that he doesn’t appear to need season-ending surgery.

Phil Hughes, the Yankees’ 21-year-old starting pitcher, also landed on the DL. He has an injured right oblique muscle. Hughes, even when healthy, has struggled this season. He has an ERA of 9.00 and has a record of 0-4.

Rodriguez, Posada and Hughes could all conceivably be back before the beginning of June. The most series injury seems to be Posada’s injury, but most major ailments have been ruled out.

Photo: Newscom

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