Update: Pujols hasn't slowed down whatsoever since I left my first review almost six years ago. He is now in his ninth season and has never hit less than 32 homeruns in a season, while maintaining a .334 career average. He had one year in which he finished with 99 runs, and that is the only year he has finished with double digit runs or RBI. Right now he is on pace to possibly have the best season of his career in 2009. Pujols is inarguably the best player in baseball right now, and it could be argued that he is one of the best of all time.

9/2/2003 - Pujols is amazing. Only he and Jose Canseco started their careers with 3 30 homerun and 100 RBI years. And I don't believe that Pujols has Canseco's destructive personality...so imagine how good Pujols could be in another 10 or 15 years.

He's the best hitter in the game right now. He is having a ridiculous season! Over 30 HR, 330+ AVG, and nearing 100 RBIs already. While he has never been under the radar for steroid use, St. Louis fans and his fans in general better hope his name is not among the infamous "List of 104 Players" that have tested positive for performance enhancing drugs, that is yet to be revealed. As of now he is considered one of the best hitters of all time.

Best hitter in baseball, you have to go back to Ted Williams or Lou Gehrig to find a hitter on the same level, although of course Barry Bonds performed at that level for a few years.

hes the man

UPDATE: Has entered a higher plane in '08, showing that last season's power drop was a fluke. Even when he was injured last month, he came off the DL early and put in a 4-for-4 game. Pitchers can't sneak anything past this guy--he's as inevitable as Barry Bonds.

ORIGINAL POST: (4/27/07): Unbelievable hitter, though pitchers sure have him figured out so far this season. A good guy, too. But somewhat one-dimensional: the Tim Duncan of baseball.

hands down the best and most consistent. sure lance berkman is doing incredible this season, but albert is incredible every season.

Pujols is 3rd to only David Ortiz and A-Rod in hitting.

hes awesome

over .300 30hr 100rbi 100runs every year since rookie
add a gold glove, mvp, and a ring
not even the "great" A-Rod!!!!!

Albert Pujols is my HERO!!!!!! I love that awesome beast!! He is the best player in the MLB!

There are plenty of occasions when I think somebody should just take a "ball" call, but he doesn't capitalize on any of them.  That is because this man knows how to hit the tight curves, and it's really unbelievable.

Pretty hard not to like this kid. I'd like to wait a bit before putting him in the Hall though. Having said that, he is as potent an offensive force as exists in the game today, and on the basis of his career so far one of the best in many years.

I believe we are witnessing history in the making. So far in his young career, you can always count on him to hit 40 HR's, 120 RBI's, and a .330 AVG. If he can continue his career close to this rate, he will be considered one of the best of all time.

Very talented guy and I have a great deal of respect for him as a person and a baseball player.

GREAT

He is one of the best baseball players now and he has good integrity.

Great player with the skills to carry a team on his back. St Louis is fortunate to have him.

UPDATE 6/4/06 Pujols has a oblique muscle injury that could sideline him for a while. The Cards and their fans are holding their breaths.

He is the absolute best hitter in the MLB. He can make contact with any ball thrown near him and he has excellent power to all parts of the field. With runners on base, you can count on him to drive in the runs. With runners off base, you can count on him to hit a HR or get on base with ease. It seriously looks like he's a man playing against little leaguers. No one has done what he has done in his first few seasons in the MLB. As of today, Pujols is on pace to hit .340, 83 HRs, and 205 RBIs. I wouldn't bet against him! As a resident of St. Louis, I cherish every moment Pujols steps up to bat. We may be witnessing the best baseball player to ever play the game...and that's no exaggeration.

I read that he is an ok fielder at firstbase. Are you kidding me? He has worked hard on his defense and now rates better than 75% of the players who play there currently. He routinely scoops balls out of the dirt and can make all of the routine plays as well. The hitting speaks for itself and will probably only get better, if that is even possible. This Cardinal will be joining the other redbirds that have their plaques hanging in Cooperstown. So sit back, watch, and stop player hating.

I am a Cubs fan. I just thought I would get that out of the way. Albert Pujols is going to go down as the best 1st baseman EVER. 30+ homeruns in each of his first 5 seasons!!! Holy Crap. 100+ RBI in each one as well. Getting better as a defensive prescense. Best 1st baseman in Cardinals history, Mcguire doesn't even deserve recognition for that achievement. Good luck to the Cardinals in these '05 playoffs. Represent our Central division proudly and kick some ass.

I firmly believe that A-Rod will break all the batting record in 10 years. And in 15, Albert will break his records. He is an unbelievably patient hitter who will swing at any good pitch and hit it solid. He is even becoming a gold-glove caliber fielder. If he doesn't get injured, he WILL be the best.

What strikes me as odd in this day and age is his humility. The only thing he seems to care about is whether the team wins or loses. Considering what he is doing this year, and what he has done the last four, 100 million over seven years is a bona fide deal. If St. Louis wouldn't have locked him in, I have a feeling he would be making twice this much playing for the yankees. A true class act. He also gives millions to charity every year. How many professional athletes do that anymore out of true sincerity?

albert needs to go back to his own country. all he is a wanna be.he aint that good just over piad. alot!!!!!!1

Great hitter. Adequate defense. He's paid for the offense though. One of the top 5 hitters.

Pujols is a true talent. One of the best in the game today.

NO DAUGHT THE GREATEST PLAYER IN THE MLB RIGHT NOW

pujols is the best player i know. he is a great hitter

I'd be surprised if he has a year with less than .300 AVG, 30 HR, or 90 RBI.

This guy is real. He's Barry Bonds without steroids. IN 2004 he posted a .331 BA and hit 46 HR. And the thing about it is that he's only 25 years old. I'm expecting alot from him this season.

The best steroid free player in the game, which makes him the best. I got a look at this guy as he was making his way to the majors and knew he was in for big things. Not that it makes me smart. Recognizing his talent is a no brainer.

I didn't take him #1 overall in my fantasy draft for nothing. This guy is young and hits the ball like no one since Ted Williams. He hits for average, power, rbi's, in the clutch and rarely strikes out. The guy is a total package.

just one of the greatest ball players around

The best all-around player in the game today. What he does with his bat is superlative and he hardly strikes out. And he's a great defensive player as well.

Even we rabid Boston fans have to tip our hats to him. A true player.

One of the most complete Offensive players in the game today. If this man can stay healthy, at least during the season, i see great feats being accomplished under the banner of Albert Pujols. one can speculate than when Barry Bonds and his Steriod riddled body retire, Pujols could be in contention to win the first triple crown in baseball since 1967.

Albert's stats speak for themselves. Barring major injury he is a superstar in the making.

Dude can do it all and only gets better.

Great Player, Even better than Sammy Sosa

Pujols has it all at the plate: patience, power, discipline. He is an above average defender at first base as well. When his career is over, he could end up being one of the most dominating players of all-time!

Albert Pujols is an excellent hitter. He sure can hit numerous homeruns. However, he was just about hitless in the 2004 World Series.

He is a powerful hitter for the St. Louis Cardies,yet his success might steer him towards a connection with the Ny Yankees and that would be a tremendous loss for me. I despise the Yankees and everything they stand for. He is an awesome hitter, though.

He can hit but hes not all that everyone says he is.He won the homerun derby wow.He still can't hit in a game.

Pujols is the real deal. He's a gifted athlete that understands the game and loves to play. He's the best player to come along since DiMaggio and he'll join him in Cooperstown after he breaks a lot of records.

Probably the best player in the majors!

Albert Pujols is the best hitter in the game. He can hit for average, for power, he knocks in runs left and right and he doesn't strike out much. Every club in the majors would give anything to have this kind of talent. All this and he is only 24 years old. Albert will break many many records before it is all said and done.

8/5/04: Pujols has more HR's than K's this season (31 vs. 30, respectively). That's pretty much out of control. Big Al himself is out of control. His worst season in the majors was in '02, when he hit for a .314 avg with 40 doubles and 34 homers. Yes, go back and re-read that. And no, those aren't typos.

he just hits perfectly hes just that kind of dominance. if i had to construct the perfect player it would have offence like pujols, the lore of bonds, the glove of mays and the arm of guerrero and speed of ichiro. but im thinkin pujols will flirt with .385, 60-73 homeruns within his career.

I have seen the man play in person.He can take over a game!He hits for average and has alot of power as well.

Watch the records fall people. Albert is the real deal.

Best hitter in the game, and a decent human being unlike most of the other jagoffs who claim greatness.