It’s hard to believe now, but it was his defense that got J.J. Hardy to the Major Leagues. The slick-fielding 25-year-old is still one of the National League’s best defensive shortstops, but his hot bat has been making Milwaukee and fantasy headlines recently as well - and his consistent splits show it’s no fluke.

Entering Sunday’s series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Hardy had hit safely in 15 of 17 games, including hit streaks of 8 and 7 games and a multi-hit streak of 5 games. After his first hitless game since June 25th, Hardy bounced back with 2 home runs, a double and 4 RBIs, raising his average to .446 since mid-June and .600 since July 1st. His monthly totals are steadily improving as well, a sign that the plateau he hit at the end of last season and early this season was more of a hill.

After hitting .244 in April, Hardy hit .264 in May and .310 in June, his OBP rose from .317 in April to .364 in June, and his 6 July home runs match his combined total from the season’s first three months. Although he never had more than 12 home runs or 64 RBIs in 6 minor league seasons, his 26 home runs and 80 RBIs in 2007 and 2008 consistency show that he is certainly a worthy fantasy shortstop.

Hardy trails only Hanley Ramirez in home runs and ranks 8th among Major League shortstops in both walks and strikeouts. He is hitting .290 against lefthanders and a virtually identical .288 against righties, and although the majority of his power production has come on the road, he is still hitting .280 with 5 home runs at Miller Park.

Dave DeIuliis will be a senior at Penn State’s School of Journalism. He can be reached at dmd5042@psu.edu.