While Albert Pujols season was cut about a week short due to his plantar fasciitis, he was still able to be a solid designated hitter. Pujols has also become one of the team leaders mentoring many of the younger players.
While there is no doubt Albert Pujols has not played equal to what his contract is paying him, it is good to see him once again consistently hitting for power, something that could not be said prior to last season. He has continued climbing up the all-time lists for home runs, doubles, and RBI’s this season. Climbing from 15 to 9 for homers, 21 to 15 for doubles, and from 27 to 20 for RBI’s.
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When Pujols passed Frank Robinson in one game for sole possession of the ninth spot on the all-time home run list, the season’s negativity vanished for a few minutes. He got there by going back-to-back-to-back with Calhoun and Trout, and then hit another big fly in his next at-bat. He finished the season with a .268 average, .323 on-base percentage, and a .457 slugging percentage to go along with 31 long balls, and an impressive 119 RBI’s, which was third in AL.
Pujols was paid 25 million dollars this year, making him the second highest paid non-pitcher in the MLB, which is more than any major award hopeful from either league not named Clayton Kershaw. However, that does not mean he is not playing well.
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Pujols is 36 years old, well past the prime years the Angels signed him for. He is supposed to be declining, but has gotten better over the past couple seasons. After hitting 75 home runs over his first three injury-riddled seasons with the Angels, he has hit 71 over the past two seasons. His average has also gone up from a career-low .244 last year back up closer to his average as a Halo. Ranking third in the AL in RBI’s came out of seemingly no where, but that is more to the credit of Escobar, Calhoun, and Trout for giving Pujols the opportunities. Putting runners on base for Pujols often worked out for the Angels, as he hit .309 with runners in scoring position.
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The only area Pujols still has room to improve is batting average. As we have seen with Joey Votto(33), Miguel Cabrera(33), and David Ortiz(40), older age does not mean lower average, as all these players hit over .300 this year. Of course, the Big A is a pitchers ballpark, but a few more points to his batting average should not be too hard considering he will most likely be a full-time designated hitter again next year.
For this year, Pujols provided enough power and hitting to keep the fans’ anger of his monstrous contract at bay, and if he continues moving up the home run list (his next stop is Sammy Sosa at 609) he will remain a favorite of the fans.
There is little to no possibility of Pujols being traded or released, as he is most likely an Angel for the rest of his career due to his contract, so consider him our DH until further notice.
2016 Grade: B+
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