Albert Pujols is sporting a leaner frame, and it seems to be generating some excitement at spring training:
Pujols has averaged 30 homers and 105 RBIs for the four seasons. He surpassed the 600-career homer mark last season and enters 2018 needing 32 hits to reach 3,000.
But he had a career-low .672 on-base-plus-slugging percentage in 2017, when he fought through nagging lower-body injuries but avoided the disabled list.
“Everybody plays with pain, not just me,” Pujols said. “I don’t make excuses.”
It would be a stretch to think Pujols could produce an OPS near his career .947 mark, but a stronger foundation supporting a leaner frame can’t hurt.
Is this the year things come together for the Angels offense? Mike Trout, Pujols, and Shohei Ohtani could be a very good heart of the order. Pujols appeared to save his best in 2017 for situations with men in scoring position. If he can get back to getting on base, too, it will certainly improve the Angels scoring.
from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2od6e1z
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