Who was better in their prime..Pujols or Trout?

[navamind]

Using Trout's first 8 seasons (or 4673 Plate Appearances) vs Albert's first 7 seasons (4741 Plate Appearances) the biggest difference between the two players is strikeouts Trout-998 vs Pujols-452. Trout obviously has displayed more speed, 44 Triples and 189 SB vs Albert's 13/38.

Pujols demonstrated a better bat and more power with more hits, doubles, HRs, higher BA (.332 vs .307) and a higher OPS 1.041 vs .990 than Trout thusfar.

Trout has the better eye drawing 693 walks vs 592. I'd take Trout today but Albert was better through their first 4700 Plate Appearances.

Despite Pujols having a higher OPS, Trout has an OPS+ 8 points higher (175 to 167). Neither played in hitter friendly ballparks, but there's been less offense across the league during Trout's first 4700 PA than there was during Pujols' first 4700 PA.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

LOL at the OP for even thinking/suggesting Trout is past his "prime".

 

[navamind]

LOL at the OP for even thinking/suggesting Trout is past his "prime".

I don't think he was trying to suggest that, unless I'm missing something.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Poo-holes but it's no slight to Trout....he's really, really good.

 

[Tai Chi≈Surfing]

I don't think he was trying to suggest that, unless I'm missing something.

"Who was better" suggests he thinks they're no longer in their prime.

Pujols is 38, ( he'll be 39 in 2 weeks) so that question definitely applies to him.
Trout is 27 (will be 28 in August)...and imho is still in his prime.

What's the cutoff age for an MLB player's prime??
Somewhere between 29 & 33?
Depending on position??...and taking into account injuries throughout their careers.

 

[MilkSpiller22]

very surprised that this comparison doesn't happen more often...

i would probably go Pujols... the 2 WS championships, and playoff statistics can not be ignored...

BUT, at only 27 Trout is on pace to becoming a top 10 player of all time, which Pujols is not... even if he is a clear first ballot HOFer(when he retires)

and i will say this, i hope that this is not the back end of Trout's Prime yet, since he is so much fun to watch and it is great to be seeing an all time great, but the chances are that he is near the end of his prime... Not many players can continue being great for so long... Not even the best players of all time...

 

[black francis]

Has Trout even hit his prime yet?

 

[black francis]

Also, Pujols used PEDs and is older than he says

 

[williewilliejuan]

Trout wasn’t juicing in his prime, so....

 

[williewilliejuan]

Also, Pujols used PEDs and is older than he says

 

[black francis]

Trout wasn’t juicing in his prime, so....

That we know of

 

[williewilliejuan]

That we know of

His piss doesn’t taste even a little like PEDs.

 

[black francis]

His piss doesn’t taste even a little like PEDs.

yeah, probably not

I hope not anyway

 

[Pure Steel]

His piss doesn’t taste even a little like PEDs.

Neighbor: Hey Roy, can you get sick from drinking piss?
Roy: I think you can.
Neighbor: Even if its your own?

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Trout gets a bump for his positional value (CF vs 1B), and because of that he's got a better WAR through ~4,700 plate appearances (64 to 55).

Trout’s OPS+ is 8 points higher as well.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I understand if you think I'm being a petty dick but this is a big pet peeve of mine.

Dominant. Pujols dominated in St. Louis, so he was dominant.

Eh?

 

[The Derski]

I can’t believe Trout is already 28 next season. Time flies. A lot of players don’t even hit their prime until their 30’s which is scary to think about with Trout.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

"Who was better" suggests he thinks they're no longer in their prime.

I agree. That’s how I read it.

Pujols is 38, ( he'll be 39 in 2 weeks) so that question definitely applies to him.
Trout is 27 (will be 28 in August)...and imho is still in his prime.

I agree with you that Trout is still in his prime, but not because he’s 27, but because his numbers suggest it. Last two seasons’ OPS+s set his record.

What's the cutoff age for an MLB player's prime??
Somewhere between 29 & 33?
Depending on position??...and taking into account injuries throughout their careers.

Semantics, but I don’t think you can compare specific players’ “primes,” unless you’re looking back at it.

Seems we agree that it’s impossible to compare a full measure to a half measure.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

I can’t believe Trout is already 28 next season. Time flies.

Alright, grandpa...

A lot of players don’t even hit their prime until their 30’s which is scary to think about with Trout.

I believe that currently, 70% or more of professional athletes — including MLB players — violate their respective sports’ PED policies, but the the late-nineties and aughts were the WILD, WILD WEST of PEDs in MLB, so I’m not anticipating many players will hit their primes until after 30.

 

[SlinkyRedfoot]

Also, Pujols used PEDs and is older than he says

Which infers that Trout doesn’t use PEDs and is his reported age.

Being that Trout wasn’t born in Mexico, I tend to agree that he’s exactly as old as he says he is, but I wouldn’t bet any of my testicles that he never juices.