Albert Pujols (1B, LAA) - Week 16 Waiver Wire Pickups

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OWNED IN: 41% of leagues

ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Angels first baseman Albert Pujols is currently on the disabled list with knee inflammation but the well-timed All-Star break gives him the possibility of returning fully healthy for the second half. Over the last seven days, Pujols has a .333 batting average, four home runs, and six RBI.

Even at 38 years old, Pujols continues to smack the ball with authority, with a Hard-Hit rate better than he has in the last seven years (42.2%). Unfortunately, he is swinging at more pitches outside of the zone (37.4%), but he does have better contact with pitches inside the zone (91.8%) as well as a better-than-average swinging strike rate (8.5%). Though he is currently on the DL, Pujols routinely slots in at the five-hole behind Andrelton Simmons, Mike Trout, and Justin Upton.

His aged, but still good, batting eye combined with his spot in the lineup will provide plenty of RBI chances. Pujols is not the player he once was, but he has a chance of finishing the year with 25 homers and maybe even pushing for 30. For near-term planning, Pujols has home games against the Astros and White Sox coming out of the break and into next week.