Predictions for Albert Pujols

[fenrir]

He's off to a slow start, which doesn't mean anything because he's had slow starts before. He may never be as dominant as he was in 2008/2009, but I think he could have a season similar to his 2007 campaign, or then again maybe another season like 2011, assuming he stays healthy.

[Bothrops Atrox]

By the end of the year? .310/.390/.570

[redban]

Pujols 2011 reminds me of Piazza's 2001.

Both started off poorly, batting far below their career averages. But 2nd half surges brought their numbers up to respectability. The power numbers were there in both cases.

Like Pujols 2011, Piazza's 01' was also his worst year (at that time).

After 2001, Piazza never recovered to old form. He would have a good 2002, but it was extremely poor by his standards. 2001 marked the start of his decline.

I say Pujols goes the way Piazza went after 2001. That's my prediction. His numbers this year will be inferior to last season's.

My rough estimates for 2012:

.285 BA
30-32 HR
85-95 RBI
.520 SLUG
.890 OPS
125 - 130 OPS+

[Bothrops Atrox]

Pujols 2011 reminds me of Piazza's 2001.

Both started off poorly, batting far below their career averages. But 2nd half surges brought their numbers up to respectability. The power numbers were there in both cases.

Like Pujols 2011, Piazza's 01' was also his worst year (at that time).

After 2001, Piazza never recovered to old form. He would have a good 2002, but it was extremely poor by his standards. 2001 marked the start of his decline.

I say Pujols goes the way Piazza went after 2001. That's my prediction. His numbers this year will be inferior to last season's.

My rough estimates for 2012:

.285 BA
30-32 HR
85-95 RBI
.520 SLUG
.890 OPS
125 - 130 OPS+

Pujols destroyed the ball in the preseason and is leading the lead in doubles and just had a 8-9 game hitting streak. He will be fine.

Here is the deal. Over the course of a season, every single great hitter in the history of baseball has 2,3, or even 4 stretches per season where they go about .260 or so with little pop over 2-3 weeks. When it happens in the middle or the end of the season, nobody notices. When it happens the first 2-3 weeks, everybody panics. If anybody has followed Albert's career, he has had numerous stretched in his career where he was far worse over a 13 game period than he has been so far. The issue isn't Albert Pujols. The issue is that everybody slept through prob. and stats class in high school.

Now, do I think he will ever be 2008-2009 good again? Of course not. Is he declining? Maybe a little. Is there any indication other than a laughably small sample size that he is about to fall off the cliff? Coming off the heals of a 5 month period in 2011 (June through October) where his OPS+ was over 175? Na.

[UnderPressure]

Pujols is past his prime. By that, I mean he won't be hitting .330 and 45 home runs and slugging .600 anymore.

[Tenorman]

There are a few slow starts happening around baseball this spring. Joey Bats is off to a pretty slow start himself, but I believe this too shall pass.

[Bothrops Atrox]

There are a few slow starts happening around baseball this spring. Joey Bats is off to a pretty slow start himself, but I believe this too shall pass.

Nobody is worried about Miggy or Tulo. Maybe if they had a new record breaking contract people would be paying more attention.

[Bothrops Atrox]

Pujols is past his prime. By that, I mean he won't be hitting .330 and 45 home runs and slugging .600 anymore.

Agreed, but the predictions you posted are WAY below anything else he has ever put up.

[Blackout]

under 20 homers

[bluesky5]

Pujols 2011 reminds me of Piazza's 2001.

Both started off poorly, batting far below their career averages. But 2nd half surges brought their numbers up to respectability. The power numbers were there in both cases.

Like Pujols 2011, Piazza's 01' was also his worst year (at that time).

After 2001, Piazza never recovered to old form. He would have a good 2002, but it was extremely poor by his standards. 2001 marked the start of his decline.

I say Pujols goes the way Piazza went after 2001. That's my prediction. His numbers this year will be inferior to last season's.

My rough estimates for 2012:

.285 BA
30-32 HR
85-95 RBI
.520 SLUG
.890 OPS
125 - 130 OPS+

Pujols doesn't have to endure the rigors of catching and can DH whenever necessary tho. Props to Piazza.

[StanTheMan]

under 20 homers

In the first half

[RaysFan_98]

I am not sure i just hope he doesn't heat up against the Rays on our upcoming series coming Tuesday.

[White Knight]

Hopefully nothing special, so we can put an end to all the talk that he did/will catch Lou Gehrig.

[John Shoemaker]

Don't worry about Albert - he'll get his 40 homeruns.

[Tyrus4189Cobb]

Hopefully nothing special, so we can put an end to all the talk that he did/will catch Lou Gehrig.

Not a fan?