Albert Pujols breaking out of slump?

[fenrir]

Perhaps it's too early to start celebrating, but he's been hitting pretty well lately. Dare I say that he's gotten his power stroke back?

I still see him having a season similar to last year.

[tag0519]

I think he is. I'm just wondering if his critics will use the same energy to praise him when he's .300/30/100

[9RoyHobbsRF]

21 rbi in 23 games in may

[willshad]

He will finish something like 25 80 .270....not that bad but not worth that kind of money.

[Zito75]

He will finish something like 25 80 .270....not that bad but not worth that kind of money.

I'll go along with that - that's a pretty fair prediction.

[fenrir]

He just homered again.

[Bothrops Atrox]

Average has raised 50+ points the past 2 weeks. Slugg% has raised almost 120 points during that same span.

[Jobu Voodoo]

He definitely is. It has kind of been like this for the past three years, except the slump lasts a little longer each time. Then once he hits his first HR he starts going off.

[Rich the Giants fan]

Last 17 games: .304/.355/.594 - 6 HR, 17 RBI

[redban]

He's getting back to respectable numbers.

I think the power numbers will be there for him this season.

Usually when sluggers decline, the power numbers go last (BA goes first though).

My guess: 30-35 HR + .270-.280 BA

[Bothrops Atrox]

Last 17 games: .304/.355/.594 - 6 HR, 17 RBI

The total, complete falling off-the-cliff in walks is still stunning.

[Zito75]

The total, complete falling off-the-cliff in walks is still stunning.

Do you think it's physical - meaning, eyes going bad?

[abolishthedh]

Do you think it's physical - meaning, eyes going bad?

Yes! I have had this suspicion since last year, for some reason. His strikeouts have been creeping up over time, and the explanation just made sense.

Other reasons could weigh in this year, as well. Some say that he misses his family from across the country, that he is pressing in trying to earn his contract in each AB, that he didn't prepare last winter and relaxed.......

I still say that if he had his eyes checked and wore contact lenses or special glasses, he would be the old Pujols for a season or two.

[Bothrops Atrox]

Do you think it's physical - meaning, eyes going bad?

No...I think he got off to poor power/RBI/BA starts the past two years and tried to "fix" those by swinging, regardless of OB%. of course MLB pitchers know better, so they have been throwing more and more stuff off the plate.

I find it hard to believe that MLB organizations with millions of dollars invested in these players don't do routine eye exams. We do routine eye exams in 6th grade for goodness sakes.

[csh19792001]

The total, complete falling off-the-cliff in walks is still stunning.

I agree. Esp. when coupled with his steady decline the last 2-3 years....