Rebbiv
Senior Member
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2011
- Messages
- 6,305
Pujols (11 seasons)
.328 BA / .420 OBP / 1.037 OPS
OPS over 1.000 in 8 of 11 seasons.
455 HR, 445 2B, 15 3B
Miggy (12 seasons)
.320 BA / .396 OBP / .960 OPS
OPS over 1.000 in 3 of 12 seasons
390 HR, 464 2B, 15 3B
I know gold gloves are kind of a popularity contest, but Pujols has 2 and Miggy 0. I think most would say that Pujols was a better defensive player as well.
Ages 27-31
Cabrera 171 wRC+ .424 wOBA .332 BAVG .414 OBP .594 SLG 1.008 OPS 10.4 PA/BB
Pujols 166 wRC+ .425 wOBA .324 BAVG .423 OBP .602 SLG 1.025 OPS 9.8 PA/BB
Counting Stats
Cabrera 211 D 181 HR 616 RBI
Pujols 195 D 195 HR 571 RBI
Pretty much equals during their peak years. I will give you as a entire career, Pujols' stats are better up to the age of 31. But the one thing you haven't brought up is that Cabrera has 2 seasons past 31, both of which are on par with his peak years, where Pujols dropped dramatically. So up to the age of 33 they are equals.
We could go round and round with this. It doesn't matter. Cabrera has shown no signs of regression that cannot be explained by age. Pujols' regression was pronounced and was due to change in strike zone judgment/discipline. And that was even evident in his last year with the Cards.
Ages 31-33
Cabrera 154 wRC+ .397 wOBA .320 BAVG .398 OBP .541 SLG .939 OPS 10.7 PA/BB
Pujols 133 wRC+ .361 wOBA .283 BAVG .348 OBP .505 SLG .853 OPS 15.1 PA/BB
Cabrera went from 10.4 PA/BB to 10.7 PA/BB. Virtually no change.
Pujols went from 9.8 PA/BB to 15.1 PA/BB. A dramatic change.
Generally speaking, walk rates are the first signs of regression. And while one year drops or spikes happen, collective trends over say three years are keys.