When I got to see Josh Hamilton hit close up for the first time I remember being blown away by just how good of a hitter Hamilton really is. I truly believe that, when healthy, he is the best player in the game. Pujols obviously has better career numbers overall, but I still think Hamilton is better when he is 100%. Just wanted to put this out there and see what people thought. Plus it might be refreshing to not worry about the offseason for once.

Josh Hamilton is the best mistake pitch hitter I've ever seen. He hits stuff left in the wrong place harder and more consistantly than anhyone I've had the pleasure of watching.

However, I think Pujols and a very few others I've seen (prime of career Vlad and Griffey come to mind) are better at hitting good pitches. If you stay away from the down-and-in portion of the zone, and obviously the heaet of the plate, and don't hang a breaking ball, I think you neutralize Josh a bit. He's still very good against high-inside heat and stuff on the outside corner, but not as elite.

The way you just decribed how to pitch Josh is literally the way you are supposed to pitch all good hitters. And you dont hit for a .359 avg being just a bad ball hitter. I agree with Griffey in his prime, but I disagree on Vlad. Even in his prime I don't know that Vlad is as talented of a pure hitter as Josh. Pujols is hard to argue because the guy is a freak.

He's definitely a keeper. While Pujols is a little better at hitting for pure power they are very similar. Of course the difference maybe that Josh isn't hitting cleanup and therefore isn't just mashing the ball but being asked to get on base at times. And Josh has basically played 3 full years and the crazy thing was in Pujols' 3rd year he hit .359. Weird!

The great thing is that Josh's defense keeps getting better. As a hitter I would say unless Josh starts hitting cleanup we may never know but I don't think Pujols would do very well if you threw him in CF. Best player in baseball? He's got my vote.

If we're just talking about their performance at the plate, give me Albert Pujols. He's just got amazing plate discipline. If Josh starts walking a bit more and can be consistent for a few years, I'll change my mind. However, right now, Pujols has got to be the best. His lowest career wOBA is .402.