Ten days into the 2011 Baseball season, it’s a good opportuninty to check who are the baddest hitters in town in this season’s first edition of Hot Bats.

Nelson Cruz, Texas Rangers

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The Rangers’ Right fielder has been a major part of their hot start (7-1, AL best), with a .360 average, 1.000 SLG and 1.452 OPS. He’s hit 5 home runs during the first 10 games, one every 5 at bats. He capped off the double header yesterday against Baltimore with a 4-RBI game and one home run.

Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies

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The 2006 NL MVP is off to a great start, like the Phillies (6-2, leading the NL East). Howard has hit “only” two homers, but is hitting over .400 and his OPS is 1.151. He had a four hit game against the Mets on Wednesday and a three hit game against the Astros last week.

Alex Avila, Detroit Tigers

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The Tigers’ catcher has been on fire the last 7 days – 5 hits (.357), 2 home runs and 6 RBI’s, including 5 against the Orioles as he got 3 hits. He had a rough start on opening day but as one of the Tigers’ and the AL’s most promising prospects, Avila seems like his going in the right direction.

Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers

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The best hitter in the AL (in my opinion) and also one of the most troubled (lets not get into it) is also off to a good start with the Tigers. He’s not doing that well in the Kansas City series but did very well against the Orioles and in his last game against the Yankees (3-5, 2 home runs, 4 RBI’s).

Howard Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels

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The Angels’ second baseman has gotten a hit in every one of the games this season so far, with 5 multiple hitting games out of the last six outings, including 2 home runs against the Royals. His average so far this season – .417 with a .487 OBP.