FanPost

Turns out its still worth it to pitch to Pujols

By using the RC formula:

RC = 0.46*1B + 0.75*2B + 1.03*3B + 1.4*HR + 0.3*BB + 0.19*SB - 0.44*CS - 0.27*Out

Pujols is averaging RC/PA = 0.146 so far this season.  If he was intentionally walked every PA, he would have RC/PA = 0.302.  (Just for fun, if you subtract his BB from his PA so its like he never walked, his RC/PA = 0.11.)  For comparison, Lopez has RC/PA = 0.0062 (Lopez would do much better but he doesn't walk and Pujols has 2x as many HR.)

I was talking to a friend yesterday about why anyone would even pitch to him with the way he's hitting the ball right now.  I guess this shows that it still is very worth it to pitch to him but I expect us to see Pujols' intentional walk rate to jump because I bet it can't be worth pitching to him if you've got a guy on 2B or 3B in a lot of situations.