Adrian Gonzalez 2009

2009 was Gonzalez' breakout year, as he reached the 40-homer plateau for the first time and was named one of baseball's two most underrated players in an MLB.com poll of executives and managers. He was named to the All-Star team again, and also won another Gold Glove. He became the first Padre to have six hits in a nine-inning game when he went 6-for-6 against the Brewers on Aug. 1.

His affordable contract also made him one of baseball's most sought-after players -- with the Red Sox again as one of the suitors -- but San Diego had him under contractual control through 2011 and was not inclined to trade him.

Here he's shown posing with his father, who was a member of the Mexican national baseball team in his youth, prior to a game on Father's Day in San Diego.

2009 STATISTICS

GAMES: 160
AT-BATS: 552
RUNS: 90
HITS:153
DOUBLES: 27
TRIPLES: 2
HOME RUNS: 40
RBI: 99
WALKS: 119
STRIKEOUTS: 109
BATTINGAVERAGE: .277
ON-BASE PERCENTAGE: .407
SLUGGING PERCENTAGE:.551
OPS:.958
OPS : 162
SALARY: 3.125 million

Stats courtesy baseball-reference.com.Photos courtesy of AP Images.

ADRIAN GONZALEZ, YEAR-BY-YEAR