As the 2006 baseball season continues to swing by the quarter pole, it's time to look at the players that have become afterthoughts to Albert Pujols and Barry Bonds. The two have dominated the headlines so far this season, as they each try to shatter records. Here are five National League players that have not been given their proper due, but thanks to the wonders of blogging, will be recognized here.

Lance Berkman

(.296/.368/.605) Berkman got off to scorching-hot start, but has cooled off recently. That does not take away from what he has done since then. His on base percentage is not at it's usual high of .400, but he's slugging way over his career norms. Berkman is Houston's biggest threat in a lineup that seems to get weaker every season. Morgan Ensberg is good, but Berkman has mastered the nooks and crannies of Minute Maid Park. Nobody can dink a 316-foot home run into the Crawford Boxes like Berkman.

Andruw Jones

(.270/.350/.517) Last year's MVP runner-up is maintaining a steady season. He has uncorked 11 home runs and has 45 RBI's, which is second to Albert Pujols. His current line is almost identical to his 2005 line. Don't expect Jones to become a poor man's Pujols, or even his center fielding counterpart Jim Edmonds. He's going to get his 35-40 home runs, but he will never hit for a high average and draw enough walks. Consider him a better hitting version of Adam Dunn.

Despite his flaws, Jones is still the main thunder in the Braves lineup, and should be recognized for driving in runs.

Nomar Garciaparra

(.375/.437/.652) The Los Angeles Dodgers best signing is paying off in a big, big way. As I wrote awhile back, Garciaparra looks like the neurotic-with-the-batting-glove-butt-slapping-Mia-Hamm-loving player that he was in Boston. So far, he's avoided the injury bug and is a major part of the Dodgers initial success  this season. Will Garciaparra continue to slug over .600? Probably not, but if he stays healthy, there's no reason to believe that he won't have a great season.

Edgar Renteria

.(322/.408/.441) Two great seasons can do a lot for you. Just ask Edgar Renteria. In 2002 and 2003, he established himself as a premier shortstop in Major League Baseball. 2003 was his finest year, as he hit .330 and drove in 100 RBI's. Renteria entered his contract season of 2004 with high expectations, but was not at his best. Despite an average season, the Boston Red Sox came a calling, gave Renteria a $1 million more than the Cardinals, and Renteria was a Red Sock.

Renteria endured his worst season since 2001 last year, and quickly became known as "Rent-a-wreck" throughout WEEI airwaves. He committed 30 errors and failed to produce and live up to the $10 million he was given. Boston wanted him gone so bad that they ponied up for $19 million left on his contract and traded him to Atlanta for prized prospect Andy Marte. Now that he's back in the NL and out of Boston's bright lights, Renteria has sizzled. He opened up the season with a 22-game hitting streak and will clearly be a step up from Rafael Fucal.

Hanley Ramirez/Dan Uggla

.335/.411/.476
.315/.377/.483

For this one, I picked one middle infield, because they have been so good. Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla are two players you don't know a lot about because they play for the Florida Marlins, but at a young age, both are producing, and combined with Miguel Cabrera, they form a formidable 1-2-3 punch at the top of the lineup.

Ramirez was key to the deal that sent Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston. Reports last season indicated that Ramirez would not produce at high level, and once he started hanging out with Manny, the Red Sox soured on him. He's having a great season, and is one of the NL's best shortstop's this season. Look for Ramirez to snag Rookie of the Year honors.

His teammate, second baseman Dan Uggla, has really come out of nowhere. He has been one of the National League's best slugging second baseman. Make no mistake about it, folks, the Marlins are producing another championship team. Don't be suprised to see them win the World Series in 2009.