Albert Pujols: Downhill from Here for the Angels 'Slugger'?

It’s not that Albert Pujols won’t be a significant part of the Los Angeles Angels offense at some point in the 2012 MLB season—he just won’t be that Albert.

That is, that Albert who could bash 14 home runs and 32 RBI like he did in April 2006—the same year he led the St. Louis Cardinals to their 10th World Series title. That Albert who hit 40-plus home runs for four straight years. That Albert who was feared every time he came to the plate.

Pujols is currently in the biggest slump of his MLB career, recording just four RBI and zero homers in April. When’s the last time Pujols had this bad of a start to kick off a season?

Never. Going back through Pujols' past numbers in the month of April, the lowest amount of home runs he’s had is five and least RBI is 15. He maxed out at 14 homers and 32 RBI, highs for both stats, in 2006.

Those numbers should give a better idea of why Pujols’ April 2012 numbers are terrifying for Angels fans. There’s no other way to put it.

To dump almost $24 million per year on a first baseman that was arguably the best hitter in the game the past decade and to see him tank the first 32 games of the regular season is like watching the Cardinals win the World Series after being down to their like strike twice: It’s literally hard to believe it’s happening.

There are theories floating around as to the source of Pujols’ struggles. Points have been made that his numbers have been declining for years prior to him leaving St. Louis, but this isn’t just a statistical decline for him, it’s rock-bottom.

When’s the last time Pujols has been benched to give him a night off because of his struggles? It happened last Saturday. That was never news in St. Louis because it didn't happen!

Pujols has slightly increased his production in the month of May. He’s belted his first home run and notched seven RBI, but he's 5-for-34 in eight games this month. Two of his hits and RBI came in the Angels’ 6-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins last night.

Is that Albert slowly returning to form? Good question, but the answer is no, not yet.

There’s a long way to go this year, and that Albert could explode at any time, but this Albert is making that Albert a memory rather than the every-day threat he was known to be.