Fantasy Baseball: Ryan Howard Or Albert Pujols?

by Ray Guilfoyle on Jul 26, 2010 4:52 PM EDT in Baseball

I know. I know. You read the headline and you think, is Ray going nuts again? He's on vacation, so maybe the ocean breeze has made him think crazy thoughts. Or, maybe he was on a bender last night, and he really isn't thinking straight.

Not so fast. My wife, who happens to be a Phillies fan, pointed out to me this weekend that Ryan Howard is hitting over .300 this season. I was shocked when she told me. I knew he was on a recent power surge, but was not aware he was hitting over. 300. So,I decided to take a look at the top NL first baseman over at Fangraphs for comparison. Here is what I found:

Ryan Howard-22 HRs. 78 RBIs, 63 runs scored, 1 SB, .302-.362-.543

Albert Pujols-23 HRs, 70 RBIs, 61 runs scored, 11 SBs, .300-.406-.561

Other than the SBs, Howard has been just as good as Pujols this season. Pujols was the #1 pick in many fantasy drafts in 2010, but for me, he has had a slightly disappointing season. His BA is well below his career BA of .322, and he is on pace to hit just 37 HRs and drive in 114, well below his 47-135 season in 2009.

Meanwhile, Howard is on pace to hit 36 HRs and drive in 128 runs, also off his 2009 season where he went 45-141. Even still, not many fantasy owners did not expect Howard to be hitting as well as Pujols on July 26th.

Is it possible that Pujols will NOT be the #1 pick in fantasy drafts in 2011?

Poll

Will Albert Pujols be the #1 pick in 2011 fantasy drafts?

Yes

102 votes

No

46 votes

148 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Saw the post on twitter

and first thought actually was, “WHAT? Who has gone crazy now?”

Voted no by the way, and it’s not close for me.

Follow me @TheRealSethW

by Seth Walder on Jul 26, 2010 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

interesting

who would you pick #1?

raygu
www.faketeams.com
www.sbnation.com

by Ray Guilfoyle on Jul 26, 2010 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions

OOPS

By no I meant Yes.

Follow me @TheRealSethW

by Seth Walder on Jul 26, 2010 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions

RyHow's splits against lefties are frightening

While his lefty splits are much more even this year, his previous career trends (2006-2009) have me worried for the future.

I wouldn’t have the confidence in him that I would in a much more solid all-around hitter like Pujols and Miggy. I’d the top three as 1. Hanley, 2. Pujols, 3. Miggy right now.

by QuinnTheEzkamo on Jul 26, 2010 5:24 PM EDT reply actions

Ray – go back to what you do best!!

by robg62 on Jul 26, 2010 5:48 PM EDT reply actions

Voted yes

Its a simple matter of knowing that even in a “bad” year this is what you get from Pujols. Im all about not over thinking the top pick and taking someone I trust.

"You think our war drill is something now. Next year is going to be fist fighting."- Tom Izzo
Go Spartans

by msufan23 on Jul 26, 2010 7:43 PM EDT reply actions

Ryan Howard not #1 pick worthy

but Miguel Cabrera sure is.

by bezeerk on Jul 27, 2010 9:05 AM EDT reply actions

You are Not Nuts - You Just Ignore the AL

How can you write an article like this without mentioning Miguel Cabrera? It should be comparing Pujols and Cabrera, not Howard.

by RickHoneycutt on Jul 28, 2010 8:53 AM EDT reply actions

Pujols career average is .331 not .322. Tied for the lead among active players with a guy you may have heard of…Ichiro Suzuki. Howard is having a great year yes, but looking at Pujols’ ten year resume I’ll take the 3 time mvp to finish with a better year.

by adam2588 on Aug 1, 2010 4:19 PM EDT reply actions