Albert Pujols and MLB's 25 Smoothest Swings

The mark of any great hitter is a smooth swing. From a relaxed approach to a solid or even unusual stance to a fluid follow-through, those with a disciplined approach at the plate are going to be the best in this department, and the results will speak for themselves.

Take Albert Pujols (pictured), for example. Here's a guy who only played 133 minor league games (and only three at Triple-A, for that matter) before getting the call to be a full-timer in the majors in 2001, and the rest is history. One reason for Pujols' accomplishments? He's got one heck of a swing that makes pitchers look foolish quite frequently.

While we're on the subject, let's have a look at the 25 best swings in baseball today.

No. 25: Carlos Zambrano

Whoever said pitchers couldn't hit needs a reality check, because Zambrano's got one great swing. Since debuting in 2001, he's slugged 23 career taters to go with a .241 career average. On top of that, he's taken home three Silver Sluggers.

Move to around 3:03 in the video to see his swing in action.

No. 24: Andre Ethier

OK, so maybe Ethier has spent a good amount of time on the disabled list the past two seasons. Still, I take one look at his swing and immediately get flashbacks of Ken Griffey Jr.

And we all know the story with Griffey's swing.

No. 23: Giancarlo Stanton

In terms of pure home run power, I've never seen any swing better than Stanton's. He's just so big and strong that whenever his swing levels off, opposing teams had better break out the measuring tape.

Now, if only he could do more than just hit homers and strike out...

No. 22: Paul Konerko

Konerko is now 36 years old, an age when most baseball players start to slowly go on the decline. Yet he has hit .306 with 70 home runs and 216 RBI the past two years and is just four long balls away from the milestone 400.

My best guess is that fluid swing is keeping him young.

No. 21: Adrian Beltre

Beltre's career may only just be in its revival period, but the numbers the past two years speak for themselves: .309 batting average, 60 home runs and 207 RBI, and that's all with missing a good chunk of last season.

With his swing looking better than ever, particularly in a hitter's park, I can't wait to see what he can do in a full season in Texas.

No. 20: David Freese

Let me put it this way regarding Freese: You don't have the postseason he had in 2011 and NOT have a good swing.

Here's hoping that 2012 is the year he finally reaches his full potential during the regular season.

No. 19: Josh Hamilton

Simply perfect mechanics here. If Hamilton can manage to play a full season this year, the power numbers should be off the charts.

No. 18: Ryan Howard

Let me start off by saying that Howard is just a large human being at 6'4", 242 pounds. That said, it's obvious that he's got some amazing strength in his arms.

Naturally, such strength leads to a smooth swing, and this home run video shows it.

No. 17: Jacoby Ellsbury

A .321 batting average, 32 home runs, 105 RBI, 39 steals, an All-Star berth and second place in the 2011 AL MVP voting. Given those stats, it's pretty obvious that Ellsbury has a pretty sweet swing.

No. 16: Adrian Gonzalez

On the outside, A-Gon doesn't look to be in the best shape, as at 6'2", 225 pounds, he's a wee bit on the hefty side. Sure enough, he constantly proves us all wrong by putting up a great batting average and mashing some long home runs.

Just look at that level swing and you'll see the reason for his success.

No. 15: Justin Upton

Mark my words, ladies and gentlemen: Justin Upton's tremendously smooth swing will net him the NL MVP Award in 2012.

No. 14: Prince Fielder

In terms of Fielder, I'm going to focus solely on his home run swing. I'll admit it's a bit unconventional, as it looks more like he's playing golf than swinging a baseball bat.

Still, when the results speak for themselves, it's hard to argue that his mechanics at the plate are bad. With every swing he takes, he just looks so incredibly relaxed.

No. 13: Troy Tulowitzki

You don't become the best-hitting shortstop of your generation without having a smooth swing. I always make a point of watching Tulowitzki if the Rockies are on national television, because the way he works at the plate is just amazing. He just makes it look so effortless.

Watch out, Derek Jeter. Someone's beating you in terms of awesomeness.

No. 12: Jose Bautista

Considering how Bautista went from essentially being a role player to a deadly power hitter known as "Joey Bats," chances are that he fine-tuned his swing. In fact, he admitted to changing it amid steroid speculation.

Regardless of if he's using or not, the numbers speak for themselves: 97 home runs and a 1.025 OPS the past two years. That just screams smooth swing.

No. 11: Evan Longoria

After watching this video of Longoria highlights, I'm starting to think that his swing combined with the New York Yankees coming to town is one of the few things keeping the Rays franchise afloat...

No. 10: Manny Ramirez

Even though much of his legacy is now forever tainted by steroid use, there's no denying that Ramirez's swing is still one of the best and smoothest in baseball history.

No. 9: Robinson Cano

With his ability to hit to all fields, not to mention his .308 lifetime batting average, it's not at all surprising that some have compared Cano to Hall of Famer Rod Carew.

Here's hoping that he has another solid season and finally takes home an MVP award.

No. 8: Ryan Braun

Steroids or no, I know this much is true: Braun's swing is phenomenal for someone of such a slight build.

No. 7: Joey Votto

I could throw up a bevy of numbers that prove Votto has a sweet swing, but I won't. Instead, I'll point to the 10-year, $225 million contract extension he just inked with the Reds.

Given his new paycheck, I think we all know the story with his approach at the plate.

No. 6: Chipper Jones

With his .304 lifetime batting average, 454 career homers and 1,561 RBI, here's hoping that Jones' silky-smooth swing brings him a happy final season.

No. 5: Matt Kemp

Kemp is the epitome of a five-tool player, and his amazing swing carries him year after year. Last season, he nearly took home the Triple Crown when he hit .324 with 39 homers and 126 RBI, not to mention he nearly had a 40-40 season, as he also stole 40 bases.

He's smooth off the field as well, having once dated Rihanna.

No. 4: Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter's swing is far from conventional. Having always been a slap hitter, he relies on this herky-jerky "inside out" swing. Sure, it has its critics, but it's worked for him to the tune of a .313 lifetime batting average.

For proof that you don't need a good swing to be a future Hall of Famer, watch the video.

No. 3: Alex Rodriguez

Perfect focus + perfect motion + perfect follow-through = a great swing for one of the greatest hitters of all time.

No. 2: Albert Pujols

A .328 lifetime average, 445 home runs and 1,329 RBI all at age 32? Then again, with Pujols' swing as smooth as it is, I'm not surprised one bit.

No. 1: David Ortiz

Say what you want about Ortiz's alleged steroid use, his only being a home run hitter or the fact that he's "just a DH." The fact remains that he has a great swing and is easily the most clutch hitter of the past 10 years.

Oh, and you heard that from a Yankees fan, too.