MLB History: 5 biggest outlier seasons by active hitters

5. Josh Hamilton

Outlier season: 2012 – 133 GP, .359 BA, 95 R, 32 HR, 100 RBI, 8 SB, 7.5 oWAR

Best otherwise: 2008 – 156 GP, .304-98-32-130-9, 6.0 oWAR

Career averages excluding outlier season: 112 GP, .282-64-21-76-6, 2.70 oWAR

Few have put into question the raw talent of Josh Hamilton, though many have done so with his discipline and durability. In 2010, a then 29-year-old continued his insurmountable comeback from drug addiction to playing and starring in Major League Baseball.

Not only did he comeback, but he crushed the competition. Hitting .359/.411/.633 with the Rangers was a true feat for the former first overall draft pick. His power numbers actually dipped a bit in terms of career bests for home runs (43, which he would hit in 2012) and RBI (130 in ’08).

Hamilton’s ratio numbers were off the charts that season though. Since 2000, only him along with Ichiro Suzuki, Miguel Cabrera, Joe Mauer and Nomar Garciaparra have hit .359 or better in the American League. His 1.044 OPS was also the 15th highest mark by any AL player in the 21st century.

That 2010 season raised Hamilton’s career batting average eight full points from .282 to .290. He is yet to suit up thus far in 2016.

Next: Curtis Granderson 's 2007