Fantasy Baseball Tweets 1-15: Pujols V. A-Rod 2009
- @fakebaseball u get the same power numbers (basically) and a better batting avg from pujols
One of the great debates among fantasy baseball owners every year is who should go no. 1 overall? In 2009, Fantasy Baseball Dugout recommends drafting Albert Pujols with the top pick in mixed league drafts.
So why are we picking Pujols over A-Rod or a couple other players this year? Because of his consistency year over year, his ability to contribute considerably to four of the standard 5×5 categories, and his MVP-caliber season last in 2008.
Did you forget how ridiculously awesome Pujols was last season? Here are his 5×5 numbers:
- .357 average / 37 homeruns / 116 RBI / 100 runs / 7 steals
The first base position is filled with sluggers who can contribute power numbers, but Pujols’ batting average year after year is what makes him so elite. Pujols should be considered even more valuable in leagues where walks are counted. He has received more free passes than A-Rod every year since 2005, and picked up 104 in 2008.
A-Rod was great in 2008, and our our no. 1 player in fantasy baseball heading into last season. He finished 2008 with the following 5×5 stat line:
- .302 / 35 / 103 / 104 / 18
The batting average discrepency is the major reason we’re calling Pujols the top player over A-Rod in 2009. Pujols’ career average is .334. A-Rod’s career average – .302.
FakeBaseball’s biggest reason for taking A-Rod over Pujols…
- @jonathanbentz but the 15-20 SB Arod brings to the table is a nice addition to your fantasy baseball team as well, no?
While its hard to argue with FakeBaseball, I ask which category is easier to draft in later rounds? Steals? Or a player who’s batting average will likely finish around .320?
Because I believe its easier to get steals late in the draft, I’m taking Pujols over A-Rod in 2009.
Agree? Disagree? Let me know. Drop a line below.
January 19th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
It isn’t the steals differential that is the key difference between A-Rod and Sir Albert it is position scarcity. The pool of 3rd base talent dries up way faster than that of the other side of the diamond. There are legit top tier talent left in the top 5+ rounds at 1st, that certainly isn’t the case at the hot corner.
January 19th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
Pujols’ batting average is hard to beat though, especially when it is 20 points higher over the course of his career. There isn’t anyone in the league of ARod and DWright at 3B (now that Braun and Miguel Cabrera lose their eligibility there), but I feel the same about first base with Pujols. There is definitely depth at the position, but when you have the top hitter in the game at said position, he’s in a completely different category.
January 26th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Personally in any standard 12 team 5×5 league Hanley Ramirez should be going first. I agree that both A-Rod and Pujols have certain consistent statistical traits that many players have trouble matching regardless of position. It’s just that Hanley’s power/speed combo coupled with a stellar AVG at the thinnest position in baseball merits the number one selection.
January 27th, 2009 at 5:53 am
@Ryan – HanRam definitely deserves some consideration for the top spot, but I don’t know if I’d personally take him no. 1. Maybe that’s just me.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:38 pm
A-Rod is #1 this year. Despite the lower batting average, his other stats should be higher with texeira on board. Last year, Bobby Abreu had a weak year up until the all star break which didn’t help A-rod at all. With texeira around, I’m sure the team will be hitting better than before. Also, isn’t pujols an injury risk? I remember drafting him last year at a ridiculously low draft position because of a rumor that he wouldn’t make it halfway through the season.
February 3rd, 2009 at 6:43 pm
@Card – Pujols had surgery this offseason. Also, Teixeira is a notorious slow starter. He should still probably go in late round 2 or early round 3 in fantasy baseball, but he gets better as the weather improves. You probably won’t draft Pujols as low this year as you did last year.