Albert Pujols


ALBERT PUJOLS - ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Third Base, Left Field
Age: 22 (January 17, 1980)
Height: 6-3 Weight: 210
Throws: Right Bats: Right

History

In 2000, Albert Pujols, a 20-year-old kid from Santo Domingo began his quick rise to stardom. A 13th round selection in the 1999 draft, Pujols dominated in 2000, hitting an amazing .315-19-98 combined at three different levels of the system and earning kudos as the Cardinals organization's Minor League Player of the year. He was in the top 5 in the organization in no fewer than seven offensive categories, including the triple crown categories, and finished 6th in runs scored in the entire system.

While he wasn't called up to AAA Memphis until there were just 3 games to go in the regular season, Albert still got to flash his skills there. Pujols won the MVP of the PCL (Pacific Coast League), batting .367 with 2 dingers and 5 RBI in 7 games, including a series-winning 13th inning homer that sent the Redbirds to the AAA World Series.

A Twist of Fate

Entering the 2001 season, Pujols dominated Spring Training, but was expected to go back to AAA for some seasoning. At just 21, the club didn't want to rush him much. However.......

Fantasy owners across the country can thank MLB's schedulers and Bobby Bonilla's aching knees for Pujols' immediate rise to stardom. In 2001, Pujols was initially kept with the team after spring training because their predominantly left-handed lineup was to face lefty starters Mike Hampton, Denny Neagle, Randy Johnson, and Brian Anderson over their first 6 games in Arizona and Colorado. Albert started tearing the cover off the ball then, and hasn't looked back since.

Pujols crushed the ball to a tune of a .370 AVG. with 8 homers and 27 RBI last April, solidifying his spot as an everyday player while covering four different positions on the diamond. The trend continued until late June.

Maturing as a Hitter

In late June, Pujols hit the skids. He hit just .241 from the last week of June through the end of July. This is where Pujols showed his true mettle as a major leaguer though.

Pujols followed up on his woeful July by hitting a sizzling .375 with 6 homers and 25 RBI in August, a feat which he just about duplicated in a hot September which saw him bat .321-6-25. His maturity, at the age of only 21, helped him to finish with an amazing rookie year which saw him hit .329 with 37 dingers and 130 RBI and earn him a unanimous Rookie of the Year Award.

2002 Outlook

Many wondered if and how Albert Pujols could match last year's amazing rookie numbers. So many players nowadays are bitten by the all too familiar sophomore jinx. Most expected his average to level off a bit, leaving him a hare over the .300 mark, but figured he'd keep around the same HR and RBI production.... He has yet to disappoint.

2002

Pujols has definitely watched his average drop, as he's hitting just .289 compared to his .329 average from last year, but his HR (21) and RBI (67) are right about on pace with last year's numbers. He's certainly had his struggles, but continues to prove that he's a solid slugger who can consistently be counted on for 40 doubles, 35 dingers, 120+ RBI, and a solid .290 average.

Fantasy Decisions

Pujols has proven that he's a major league stud for years to come, following up on his amazing rookie season with a strong sophomore showing. Keeper leaguers take notice. This 22 year old slugger should be a solid MVP candidate and an All Star for years to come.

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James Meyerriecks
Cardinals, Royals Lead Correspondent