The early leader in the National League Central is a young team that many expected to emerge a year ago. That didn’t happen, but after sweeping the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals this week, the Milwaukee Brewers sport an 18-9 record that is the best in the league.

Although the Brewers are the only NL Central club that is above .500 and enjoy a five-game bulge over second-place Cincinnati, it’s obviously too early to start awarding division titles. Yet, there are many reasons to feel good about 2007 if you’re a Brewers fan.

Veterans Geoff Jenkins and Kevin Mench have rebounded nicely from off years in 2006, and catcher Johnny Estrada has been a solid offseason addition in the early going.

Even more impressive is the fast start of the promising prospects in the infield. First baseman Prince Fielder is showing no signs of a sophomore slump after a terrific rookie season. Second baseman Rickie Weeks is batting just .238, but his 15 extra-base hits, 21 runs scored and .495 slugging percentage in 25 games are signs that he has bounced back from a wrist injury that bothered him for much of 2006.

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise has been shortstop J.J. Hardy, who missed all but 35 games last season due to ankle surgery. He is hitting .306 and slugging .550, with a team-leading nine doubles and six home runs. Hardy and Fielder share the team lead in homers. We’ve been hearing about the trio of Fielder, Weeks and Hardy for a long time, yet the oldest of the group, Hardy, is just 24 and doesn’t turn 25 until August.

A productive offense is complemented by a stingy pitching staff. The Brewers have allowed more than two runs just twice in their last eight games.

New acquisition Jeff Suppan (4-2, 2.55 ERA) and Chris Capuano (4-0, 2.90 ERA) have been leading a strong rotation. Another of the Brewers’ top starters, Ben Sheets, just returned from a groin injury and limited the Cardinals to a pair of runs over six innings on Tuesday.

The bullpen has been even better, posting a 3.38 ERA and striking out nearly a batter an inning (83 in 85.1 innings). Closer Francisco Cordero has been perfect, converting all 10 of his save chances without allowing a run. Among all major league closers with more than a single save opportunity, only Cordero hasn’t been charged with a run.

Setup man and former Brewers closer Derrick Turnbow has rebounded from a poor 2006 and is pitching like a ninth-inning guy. He’s fanned 21 in 12.1 innings while recording a 2.19 ERA and a save in his only chance. Matt Wise also has been dependable in the pen, and so far, 23-year-old right-hander Carlos Villanueva has been getting the job done.

It’s early, but manager Ned Yost and pitching coach Mike Maddux have convinced the young Brewers to believe in themselves. Over the summer, we may find it’s time for the other 29 big league clubs to believe in them, too.