Pujols looks exactly the same

[Lou]

His defense is not the issue, nor has it ever been. He is a legit gold glove caliber 1st baseman. He is sure handed, smart, has a soft glove, and is and has always been a vacuum cleaner with throws in the dirt - a boon with our infielders. However, those types could be had on the cheap. He was brought in and paid big money to hit homeruns, drive in runs, get on base, and be a presence in the lineup. For whatever the reason was the last two seasons, he simply hasn't gotten it done. I was excited as anybody when the Angels signed him, but ouch, what a monumental disappointment so far.  A few spurts here and there and a last third of 2012 just isn't enough. I understand the painful nature of his injury last season, but he should have had that taken care of very early in the season. Supposedly he is healthy now, ok, then if he is he should produce big time numbers this season. Otherwise, yes, he would be nothing more than Casey Kotchman with a 9 figure contract.

Ummmm, ok.

However, this discussion has nothing to do with his bat or relative value.

[Lou]

Double to score Trout. I like that.

Like clockwork

[Erstad Grit]

Double to score Trout. I like that.

 

Ground ball to 3b. 

[QuinlansMinion]

Lazy fly ball to shallow left field

[Ohtaniland]

3-21, 3 singles, .158 avg, no extra base hits, 1 rbi, but you're not at all concerned?

.158? The planters fasciitis Albert was a much better hitter. jk

[m0nkey]

Keep posting at bat by at bat spring training updates

[QuinlansMinion]

Although spring straining stats are irrelevant and you cant draw conclusions this early, still for a superstar he shouldnt look this abysmal.  

[jcdeardeuff]

Although spring straining stats are irrelevant and you cant draw conclusions this early, still for a superstar he shouldnt look this abysmal.  

At least he still has enough pride to question Trout.  I'm sure that's helpful.

[GregAlso]

Reminder of the other half of my previous comment:

"From May 5th 2012 (day of first HR) to Aug 22nd (the 23rd thru 28th he missed due to knee injury) Pujols had a .985 OPS."

So, for 3 1/2 months of the 2012 season, over half the season, he had a .985 OPS. It faded when his knee was injured. In 2013 he had a problematic offseason, a knee that wasn't fully healed and Plantar Fasciitis that kept him on one leg and eventually ended his season. Every slump he has had as an Angel has a very rational explanation.

His health can be questioned. That is fair game. But, if he is healthy then he can at least put up a .985 OPS. There is no evidence to say he will suddenly hit like Kotchman. Albert hit 17 HR in 99 games on 1 freeking leg! He has not forgotten how to hit. He hit well for over half of the 2012 season! His body may not hold up long term, but if healthy, he will hit.

[Chuck]

Reminder of the other half of my previous comment:

"From May 5th 2012 (day of first HR) to Aug 22nd (the 23rd thru 28th he missed due to knee injury) Pujols had a .985 OPS."

So, for 3 1/2 months of the 2012 season, over half the season, he had a .985 OPS. It faded when his knee was injured. In 2013 he had a problematic offseason, a knee that wasn't fully healed and Plantar Fasciitis that kept him on one leg and eventually ended his season. Every slump he has had as an Angel has a very rational explanation.

His health can be questioned. That is fair game. But, if he is healthy then he can at least put up a .985 OPS. There is no evidence to say he will suddenly hit like Kotchman. Albert hit 17 HR in 99 games on 1 freeking leg! He has not forgotten how to hit. He hit well for over half of the 2012 season! His body may not hold up long term, but if healthy, he will hit.

Yep!

[mota_madness]

Reminder of the other half of my previous comment:

"From May 5th 2012 (day of first HR) to Aug 22nd (the 23rd thru 28th he missed due to knee injury) Pujols had a .985 OPS."

So, for 3 1/2 months of the 2012 season, over half the season, he had a .985 OPS. It faded when his knee was injured. In 2013 he had a problematic offseason, a knee that wasn't fully healed and Plantar Fasciitis that kept him on one leg and eventually ended his season. Every slump he has had as an Angel has a very rational explanation.

His health can be questioned. That is fair game. But, if he is healthy then he can at least put up a .985 OPS. There is no evidence to say he will suddenly hit like Kotchman. Albert hit 17 HR in 99 games on 1 freeking leg! He has not forgotten how to hit. He hit well for over half of the 2012 season! His body may not hold up long term, but if healthy, he will hit.

blah blah blah blah blah..... so sick of excuses thats all we have heard since he got here.  bad knees, plantar fasciitis, pressing too hard, big contract, marine layer bigger ball park, missing his family.... SO SICK OF IT! the pujols we all hoped and dreamed for will never be. ever.. 

[fan_since79]

If he puts up a .985 OPS this year, I'll never say another critical word about him again.

[YouthofToday]

If he puts up a .985 OPS this year, I'll never say another critical word about him again.

Only 7 more years after 2014! Catching campaign slogan...

[WallyWorld]

But, if he is healthy then he can at least put up a .985 OPS.

 

Because he did it 2 years ago for less than a complete season??

[Angel Oracle]

Since I lived in N.C. for 6 years while growing up, I have first dibs on Sandra Bullock (growing up in N.C.).

[Angel Oracle]

Back on topic, the longer Pujols goes without regaining anything resembling even his 2010/2011 hitting, the more people are naturally going to doubt his future at the plate, especially at $24 million AAV for the contract.

Edited March 12, 2014 by Angel Oracle

[Brent Maguire]

Keep posting at bat by at bat spring training updates

You asked for it. 

 

2-3 1 BB 1 2B 1 RBI 2 R today. 

[CaliAngel]

Wait, are my eyes deceiving me? Is that an Albert Pujols BASE ON BALLS????

 

Gotta admit, the guy is really coming along!

[Chuck]

Pujols is running a ton better too.

Very good to see.

[mota_madness]

Pujols is running a ton better too.

Very good to see.

running better? LOL i hope your joking.  vlady ran better in his last years as a halo...  giant strides heel to toe?  who the hell runs like that?  

[Spirit]

Watching him over the weekend in pre-game warm ups and in the games he played, I was pretty impressed with his mobility.  He looked way better than I was expecting.  If he can play the season with what he showed over the weekend, we're in good shape. 

[Kevin]

Mota madness must be a very unhappy person.

[Michifan]

blah blah blah blah blah..... so sick of excuses thats all we have heard since he got here.  bad knees, plantar fasciitis, pressing too hard, big contract, marine layer bigger ball park, missing his family.... SO SICK OF IT! the pujols we all hoped and dreamed for will never be. ever.. 

You sound like my teenager. I want I want I want, I won't listen to reason and facts, I want I want I want. 

[stormngt]

blah blah blah blah blah..... so sick of excuses thats all we have heard since he got here.  bad knees, plantar fasciitis, pressing too hard, big contract, marine layer bigger ball park, missing his family.... SO SICK OF IT! the pujols we all hoped and dreamed for will never be. ever.. 

 

If you were expecting the 28 year old Pujols of the Cardinals than the problem is you.  You should have expected a decline.  To be honest, I expected the type of play that he gave from  June 2012 to Sept. 2012.  Last year was the only real disappointment I had with Pujols and that is just one year.  Sorry if I am an optimist and do not desire to hate on a guy just yet.

[Homebrewer]

I just hope HE accepts losing a few steps on he bases this season,  and stops running into outs.