Fansided

MLB: Kris Bryant and the Top 5 stories of the season so far

By Ryan Phillips

Apr 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) hits a RBI double during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) hits a RBI double during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) hits a RBI double during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (23) hits a RBI double during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Adrian Gonzalez is Killing the Ball

There’s no other way to say it, Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is absolutely punishing baseballs right now.

Entering Tuesday night’s action, the 32-year-old is leading all of baseball in batting average (.442), on-base percentage (.508), slugging percentage (.885) and OPS (1.393). He is also second in the National League in home runs (five), is second in RBI (14) and had hit safely in his first 11 games before that streak stopped on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies.

Gonzalez has always been a phenomenal hitter, but early in this season he has taken himself to another level. In the third game of the season he did this to the San Diego Padres, and hasn’t looked back. The four-time All-Star also has six walks against just three strikeouts so far this season. He is a big part of why the Dodgers are off to a 9-4 start and sit atop the National League West.

There’s no way Gonzalez can keep this pace up for the rest of the season, but if he can turn in a career year the Dodgers could ride to a division title in his wake. With Matt Kemp now residing 125 miles south down Interstate 5 in San Diego, Gonzalez is now the face of the franchise.

He’s off to a great start and if he keeps swinging the lumber with authority the Dodgers will be tough to beat.

Next: Welcome Kris Bryant

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