Five MLB Rookies + The Other Big Papi

Five MLB Rookies
Here are five Major League baseball rookies I've been keeping my eye on during the first two months of this season:

Minnesota Twins pitcher Francisco Liriano (2-0, 2.96 ERA, 37 Ks in 27.1 innings) (AP/Morry Gash)

San Diego second baseman Josh Barfield (.279 BA, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs, 22 runs, 7 stolen bases) (AP/Jeff Robertson)

Milwaukee Brewer Prince Fielder (son of great home run hitter Cecil Fielder), .308 BA, 8 HRs, 24 RBIs, 26 runs, and 3 stolen bases (AP/Morry Gash)

Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ronny Paulino (.278 BA, 1 HR, 11 RBIs, his pitching staff has a 3.30 ERA when he catches)

Seattle Mariners catcher Kenji Johjima (.289 BA, 5 HRs, 23 RBIs, 20 runs) (AP/Jim Bryant)

Albert Pujols
And then there's Albert Pujols, last year's Most Valuable Player and the star of my favorite team, the Central Division-leading Saint Louis Cardinals. First baseman Pujols, whose amazing first five years are comparable to some of baseball's all-time greats, is having an extraordinary season so far: batting around .320, he's hit 20 home runs, driven in 53 batters and scored 43 runs, all of which lead the majors. Though it's still very early in the season, of he's keeps up anywhere near this pace, there'll be no question about a MVP repeat.

Pujols checking his bat (AP/Tom Gannam)

Pujols singling against Kansas City(AP/Dick Whipple)

Pujols looking pensive on his day off (AP/Tom Gannam)

Pujols hitting a solo homer against Arizona (AP/Bill Boyce)

Pujols receiving high fives from his teammates after his 18th home run, against the Colorado Rockies (AP/Tom Gannam)