1. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
He had an MVP season in 2008 despite missing 14 games and dealing with nagging injuries all season. Unfortunately for opposing pitchers, Pujols is likely to enter 2009 100 percent healthy. It would be a surprise if he didn't win another MVP.

2. Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Miggy started slow in his first season in the American League. But he stepped up in the second half of 2008, hitting .302 with 21 homers and 70 RBIs in just 68 games after the All-Star break. Now that he's used to A.L. pitching, expect Cabrera to put up MVP-type numbers in 2009.

3. Mark Teixeira, New York Yankees
He does nothing but mash, recording at least 30 homers and 105 RBIs in each of the past five seasons. At age 27, Tex is just hitting his prime. And with the support he'll get in the Yankees lineup, the switch-hitting slugger should be in for a career year.

4. Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies
He got off to another dreadfully slow start last season. But Howard rebounded to lead all of baseball in home runs and RBIs last year. He still strikes out way too much to hit for a great average, but you can expect to see him among baseball's home run and RBI leaders again this season.

5. Lance Berkman, Houston Astros
Berkman cooled off after a crazy-hot start to 2008. After hitting .347 with 22 homers and 73 RBIs before the All-Star break, he hit just .259 with seven homers and 33 RBIs in the second half. Still, he managed to top 100 RBIs for the third straight season.

6. Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Bucks
Fielder didn't match the monster numbers he put up in 2007 (50 HRs, 119 RBIs). But 34 homers and 102 RBIs isn't too shabby for a 24 year old.

7. Adrian Gonzalez, San Diego Padres
For a guy who was never expected to hit for a lot of power, Gonzalez sure hits for a lot of power. He hit 36 homers, drove in 119 runs, and scored 103 runs last season, his second straight year topping 30 homers, 100 RBIs, and 100 runs. The only thing holding him back is the lack of support in San Diego's feeble offense, and a home park that's a pitcher's heaven.

8. Justin Morneau, Minnesota Twins
There's no doubt that Morneau is a big-time run producer -- he had 129 RBIs last season. But his home run total has dropped each of the last two years. He only hit 23 homers last year. But Morneau also hit 47 doubles. If some of those two-baggers turn into four-baggers, then he'll be in business.

9. Kevin Youkilis, Boston Red Sox
Youkilis showed last season that he's more than just an on-base machine. He put up career-highs with 29 homers and 115 RBIs.

10. Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
Votto looked better and better as is rookie year went on. The young slugger hit .321 with 11 homers and 44 RBIs in 60 games after the All-Star break. Hitting in the middle of a decent young lineup and playing his home games in a great hitter's park, Votto could be one of 2009's breakout stars.

11. James Loney, Los Angeles Dodgers
Loney has the sweet left swing to compete for a batting title. But while he's a good line drive hitter, he hasn't shown much power to this point. Loney had only 13 home runs last season, though the 24 year old has the potential for more power.

12. Derrek Lee, Chicago Cubs
D-Lee is still an outstanding hitter, but his power has slowly disappeared. After hitting a career-high 46 homers in 2005, he has followed up with just 50 home runs combined in the last three seasons.

13. Carlos Pena, Tampa Bay Rays
Pena is a lot like a poor man's Ryan Howard. He strikes out a lot. But he has the powerful lefty swing to pile up the homers. Pena has hit 77 home runs over the past two seasons and topped 100 RBIs in each of those years.

14. Carlos Delgado, New York Mets
Delgado found the fountain of youth last summer. After a slow start, he hit .303 with 21 homers and 63 RBIs in 66 games after the All-Star break. Of course, it might be tough for the 36 year old to repeat that performance this season.

15. Chris Davis, Texas Rangers
What a debut by Davis. After coming up midseason, the rookie hit .285 with 17 homers, 55 RBIs, and 51 runs in half a season. There's no doubt he'll be a full-time player this year, and 30 homers and 100 RBIs are within reach for the 22 year old.

16. Connor Jackson, Arizona Diamondbacks
Jackson has shown the ability to hit for average (.300 last season). And he even stole 10 bases last season, a relatively high number for a first baseman. But he needs to show some more power (just 12 homers).

17. Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox
Konerko's numbers suffered during an injury-filled 2008. He hit just .240 with 22 homers and 62 RBIs. But he got healthier late in the season, and posted outstanding numbers down the stretch. Konerko hit .260 with nine homers and 15 RBIs in 21 September games. If he can stay healthy, Konerko is poised to return to 30-HR, 100-RBI form.

18. Adam LaRoche, Pittsburgh Pirates
LaRoche isn't spectacular, but he's always solid. He has hit at least .270 with 20 homers and 80 RBIs in each of the past three seasons.

19. Billy Butler, Kansas City Royals
Butler disappointed early last season, so much so that he was demoted to the minors. But when he re-joined the big league team, Butler showed why he's considered one of baseball's best young hitters. He hit .305 with nine homers and 36 RBIs in 57 games after the All-Star break. The 22 year old could be poised for a breakout year.

20. Jason Giambi, Oakland Athletics
Giambi looked like the Giambino of old last season, hitting 32 homers and driving 96 RBIs for the Yankees. He's re-joined the A's, and hopes to find his MVP form from his last stint in Oakland. But at age 38, and having to play his games in a pitcher-friendly park (as opposed to Yankee Stadium, which was friendly for left-handed hitters), he might have a tough time matching last year's stats.