Albert Pujols

2013

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2012

How would you like to have the kind of career where hitting .299 and driving in 99 runs is a disappointment? That's Pujols, who failed to reach 100 RBI and a .300 batting average for the first time in his illustrious career. That didn't stop him from hitting like an MVP down the stretch when he was carrying the Cardinals into the World Series. The dude can hit, and he'll continue to do so even in an Angels uniform, but he's 32 now. Another somewhat alarming note: his 61 walks were a career low and his BB:K ratio was his worst since 2002. His value isn't plummeting, but he no longer looks like the automatic top pick in fantasy drafts.

2011

It seemed like something was wrong with Pujols early in 2010, but it's doubtful anyone complained about his final line, which even included 14 stolen bases. He's as consistent as they come: 10 years in the league, and only that annoying 99-run effort in 2007 prevented him from 10 years of 30-100-100-.300. He should be the consensus No. 1 pick in mixed leagues again in 2011.

2010

Not much more can be said: Pujols is simply the best hitter in the league. The career-high 16 stolen bases probably won't be repeated next year, but you can feel safe picking him with the first pick in your league anyway. He had his long-awaited elbow surgery in October, but he should be fine by spring training.

2009

Pujols was rightfully awarded the MVP in 2008, finishing with 37 home runs, 116 RBI and a .357 batting average. Not bad for a guy whose price was depressed last spring due to questions surrounding his sore elbow. Pujols finally had surgery in October, but is expected to be ready for spring training. As long as he's healthy in March, he could very well be the No. 1 overall pick in most fantasy drafts.

2008

Although he only missed four games last season, Pujols played through numerous injuries all year and was on fumes during the last month. While his final stat line looks good, Pujols had career lows in runs, RBI and homers. That’s more a testament to his great track record than to a bad year. Assuming he and the players around him stay healthy, there’s nothing keeping him from going back to being the best offensive player in the game this year.

2007

Despite landing on the DL for the first time in his career, Pujols had yet another MVP-caliber season in 2006 and won his first Gold Glove. His .671 SLG and 92:50 BB:K were career bests. He appears to have no holes in his game, although he likely won’t again approach the 16 stolen bases he had in 2005. He’ll enter 2007 as the consensus top pick in draft formats.

2006

In 2005, Pujols finally won the MVP award he has been so close to winning the previous four seasons. If we've learned anything from watching him in his first five seasons, it's that he's remarkably consistent. Expect more of the same stellar numbers in 2006.

2005

Pujols will enter the 2005 season at age 25, meaning he has yet to hit his statistical prime, which sabermetricians postulate comes after age 27. That's a scary thought considering he set career highs with 46 home runs and 84 walks. A batter without weakness, Pujols lowered his strikeout total from 93 as a rookie to just 52 in 2004. With pitchers unable to stop him, health becomes an issue. He battled through plantar fasciitis in his left foot from August through the end of the season. He was hardly slowed, hitting .344 in September and .414 with six home runs in the postseason. Winter treatments should heal that problem right up, giving pitchers even more pause.

2004

He can hit a little. Losing third-base eligibility is a minor blow; Pujols is a high draft pick no matter where he's eligible. Expect some dropoff from the big 2003, just enough to make him seem mortal. He's basically Vlad Guerrero with more plate discipline and less foot speed.

2003

Last season’s runner-up in the NL MVP voting, Pujols’ numbers actually fell off a bit last season despite putting up a very solid .314/.394/.561. But that says more about how good his rookie season (.329/.403/.610) was than anything negative about Pujols’ development. In fact, Pujols’ batting eye improved last season as he walked three more times (72 from 69) and struck out 24 fewer (69 from 93). Given his age, 23, his work ethic and his attitude, we expect Pujols to match or exceed last season’s numbers in 2003. Pujols’ positional flexibility (41 games at 3B, 21 at 1B, 118 in the OF) is an added bonus.