Ryan Howard and David Wright do battle in the NL East, but in last season?s Home Run Derby, they squared off in the game?s most thrilling test of individual skill. Howard beat Wright 23-22, but who will win Thursday?s battle on RealGM? The Case for Howard Howard became just the second player in MLB history to win a Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player award in successive seasons, Cal Ripken, Jr. being the other. It is hard to remember a debut that has been as immediately impressive. Unlike former teammate, Bobby Abreu, the home run derby did not hamper his second half performance. He hit 30 home runs after the All-Star break and did so in 51 fewer at bats. Howard finished the season hitting one home run for every 10 at-bats, the 21st best single season clip in history. He also nearly carried the Phillies into the playoffs in a season that they had nearly written off; his 1.084 OPS, 149 RBI?s and 58 home runs meant that much. He has excellent power to all fields and hit many more homeruns to dead left field, than he did to dead right field at Citizens Bank Park. The Case against Howard Howard is just bursting onto the scene, despite being 27 years old already. He is two months older than Albert Pujols, who already has six full seasons on the books compared to Howard?s season and a half. Howard becomes an easy out when pitched to high and in, as well as high and away. He is also well below average as a base runner and a first baseman. His disposition seems similar to David Ortiz?s and he would flourish as a designated hitter. The Case for Wright The Mets can thank Mike Hampton for David Wright. Wright was selected in the 2001 draft in the supplemental round following the first round with a pick that was awarded to them as compensation for Hampton signing with the Rockies. Between his statistical output, locker room presence and media friendly disposition, Wright holds the holy trinity of what a franchise would want from their cornerstone player. With an impeccable fundamental foundation, Wright hits for both average and power at an age where most players are beginning their turn at Triple-A. He is without any major hole in his swing, namely because he is at ease taking the ball to the opposite field when the pitch dictates it. A lifetime .902 OPS for a player that just turned 24, is very impressive and should simply be the tip of the iceberg for a player that is very ubiquitous in how serious he takes his performance. The Case against Wright Wright has made dozens of very impressive plays at third base, but his glove work still needs improvement. He stole 20 bases in 2006 and 17 in 2005, but these numbers will surely fall when he moves up in the lineup and is asked to provide the long ball more frequently and his body becomes bulkier. Finally, will Wright be capable of becoming a slugger that averages 35-45 homeruns per season? He was well on pace to do so last season, but due to him hitting only six post-All-Star homers, he finished with just 26 for the season.