Who is Albert Pujols?

Who do i draft? Hanley Ramirez or Albert Pujols?

• The way our draft is set up, 12 team league. I have the 1st overall pick. If i take Albert Pujols, i might get a stud with my 24th pick. If i take Hanley Ramirez, i could probably get somebody like Mark Teixera or Ryan Howard. In our league, we don't draft pitchers, we draft staffs. I really like Pujols consistency, but i don't want to get stuck with a poor 2nd round choice. The first base pool is so gigantic! Any ideas what i should do with my first and second round pick? Thanks!

• Answer:

  Well, I'm leaning toward Han-Ram and here's why... - Ramirez had a down year (.300, 21 HR, 76 RBI, 92 Runs, 32 SB) last season. For most SS, those numbers would be a career year, but not for Ramirez. He had some elbow problem late in the season and it cost him to miss 20 games last season, which is the reason for the low numbers. A healthy season and reaching his peak (27 years of age), Han-Ram could have a shot of repeating his 2009 MVP-type numbers. After Han-Ram and Tulowitzki (both are 1st round picks), the SS position is basically slim picking, where you either have to go for speed or some decent pop, which is not the way to go. - Pujols is a model of consistency and will give you another MVP numbers, considering that he'll be one of the most anticipated FA since A-Rod in 2001. The problem is that 1B is one of the deeper position in baseball, where you can get a 30-40 HR guy in the second or third round for cheap, like you mention Tex and Howard, as well as Prince Fielder (who is also a FA after this season). It's tempting to get Pujols as a first pick, but the difference is that the talent doesn't drop off after King Albert.