On May 24th, 2007 I was lucky enough to watch Ryan Braun’s Major League debut at Petco Park. I knew Braun had tremendous power and talent just from his stint in the minors. Through the minors Braun was given the nickname “The Hebrew Hammer” due to his Jewish background. Now, as Braun settles in with the Brewers, the young third basemen is reaching totals that only Albert Pujols has touched before.

Ryan Braun doesn’t appear to have the physical tools that would allow him to hit home runs at this pace. In fact, the first time I saw him up close, he appeared to be a skinny kid from California that more or less looked like a twig. Comparing him to Albert Pujols, the Cardinals first baseman has him beat on muscular strength. Or does he? Pujols hit his 15th career home run in his 49th game. Braun did it in his 50th! And would you believe Braun has a slugging percentage of .665 through July 27th, which makes him number one overall in that category? That is the first time a rookie, yet alone a 23 year old, has led that stat since Pujols and the great Willie Mays.

The Hebrew Hammer is definitely making a name for himself. Braun now has 18 home runs in 56 games since being called up in late May. The kid is also batting over .350 and already has 49 rbi’s. Not to take anything away from Met’s third baseman and All-Star David Wright, but Braun might be better. Wright played in 160 games in his rookie year. He hit 27 home runs. In 2007, Wright has 18 home runs in 101 games. Braun has that same exact total in about 50 less games played.

Simply put, Ryan Braun is a beast. It’s down right scary for other teams to face him. Prince Fielder is the huge emerging marketing star in Milwaukee but Ryan Braun will certainly give him a run for his money in the Miller Park clubhouse. If you’re reading this article and are opening up another window to pick Ryan Braun up in your fantasy league, it’s probably too late. Also, if Ryan Braun doesn’t win Rookie of the Year for some reason, look for the entire city of Milwaukee to riot. Honestly, even if Hunter Pence was healthy, Braun would have him beat in every statistical category. I guess I have just one thing left to say. What if more people know about Ryan Braun?