Trout or Pujols: Who would you choose in their prime?

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Albert Pujols talks to Mike Trout (Photo by Matt Brown/Angels Baseball LP/Getty Images) /

The Los Angeles Angels have two of the very best players in baseball from over the past two decades. If Mike Trout and Albert Pujols were both in their primes, which one would you choose?

What if you could wash away all of the frustration that has built over the past several seasons of watching Albert Pujols get paid a King’s ransom to slowly wither away toward retirement? What if you could have Albert Pujols on the Angels in his prime, like you do now with Mike Trout?

The Angels have arguably the two best players over the past twenty years on their roster; it’s just they have dominated in two different decades. Pujols owned 2001-2010, while Trout has made claim of 2011-2019.

If you could start a team with one of these two players in their primes, which one would you choose?

Before we get into making the case for each player, let’s take a look at the similarities.

Using Baseball-Reference’s version of Wins Above Replacement (WAR), Pujols and Trout’s value over their first seven seasons in the majors is separated by only one half of a win.

Pujols broke into the majors in 2001, immediately making an impact, winning the Rookie of the Year. Mike Trout had a brief stint as a 19-year-old in 2011, but also won the Rookie of the Year during his first full season in the bigs. They both won MVP awards early in their career. They both won Silver Slugger awards. They both made annual trips to the All-Star game. And they both have been considered the best player in the sport.

Choosing between Pujols and Trout might seem like an easy decision today, but considering both players in their primes makes the choice a lot more difficult.

ST LOUIS, MO – JUNE 21: Former St. Louis Cardinal Albert Pujols #5 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim acknowledges a standing ovation from the fans in his first return to Busch Stadium prior to batting against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 21, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) /

The case for Pujols

While it’s hard for some Angels fans to remember, Albert Pujols was Mike Trout before Mike Trout. From 2002 to 2006, he finished either first or second in MVP voting every single year. It was clear who the best player in the game was back then, just like it is today with Trout.

Over his first seven seasons in the majors, Pujols hit 81 more home runs, drove in an extra 300 RBIs, batted nearly 30 points higher, and struck out almost 450 times less than Trout did over his first seven years as a pro.

While Trout has built up an impressive trophy case, Pujols won two significant achievements by the time he was a seventh year player that Trout still hasn’t earned. Pujols won a Gold Glove Award in 2006, and a batting title in 2003.

From 2003 to 2006, Pujols was an absolute machine at the plate, his slugging unmatched by any four-year stretch by Trout. During those four seasons, the first baseman from the Dominican Republic hit 40+ home runs each season, while batting .338 with a .650 slugging percentage.

While the number of their respective postseason appearances is largely out of their control, Pujols has also proven to be a clutch hitter when it matters most. He won the NLCS MVP in 2004 with a .500 batting average and four home runs. He batted over .300 in eight of his first eleven postseason series. Meanwhile, Trout, in his lone playoff appearance in 2014, struggled, going 1-12 in a series loss to the Kansas City Royals.

If you had to choose one player in their prime to start a team, Albert Pujols would give you a prolific hitter, with a golden first base glove, and the ability to put you over the top in a postseason series.

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA – MARCH 03: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels prepares for a spring training game against the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark on March 03, 2020 in Goodyear, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

The case for Trout

While several of the counting numbers add up in favor of Pujols over the first seven years of his career compared to Trout, if you had to choose one player to start a team with, there are a variety of reasons for why you would want to pick Trout.

First, Trout’s accomplishments as a 27-year-old already match up to what Pujols was able to accomplish only by extending his career into his thirties. Trout has three MVP awards, something that took two extra seasons for Pujols to accomplish. Trout has won seven Silver Slugger awards, already one more than Pujols has won over his career.

Beyond the batting numbers and awards, Trout also possesses speed and athleticism that would put him a notch ahead of the former Cardinal. While Pujols was a very good first baseman, Trout roams centerfield, a position that requires greater range and defensive agility. Trout’s arm has helped him record 37 outfield assists, ranking in the top two or three among centerfielders almost every season of his career.

A true five-tool player, the centerfielder from New Jersey is also a great baserunner. He has swiped 165 bases over his career, and led the league in steals with 49 in 2012. Pujols, who is far from known for his foot speed, has never stolen more than six bases in a season.

These added contextual numbers explain why Trout has had three seasons with his WAR value above 10 wins, something Pujols has never accomplished.

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Comparing Mike Trout and Albert Pujols in their primes is comparing two future Hall-of-Famers who have reached the apex of their sport at different times. But with Trout already matching most of Pujols’ accomplishments and possessing all of the tools to dominate in every aspect of the game, if you were looking to start a team with one player, it’s hard to argue against Trout.

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