Call to the Pen’s American League All-Star team

Jun 22, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a RBI single during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Second base: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
2014 stats: .343/.383/.447, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 40 R, 34 SB

The selection of the diminutive Altuve might be a surprise to some. It shouldn’t be.

Altuve leads all AL second basemen in hits (113), stolen bases, and batting average. His 113 hits leads not only the AL, but all of baseball. His 34 thefts ties him with Cincinnati’s Billy Hamilton for second in MLB, but that number is tops in the AL. And his .343 batting average is topped only by Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki.

Yes, he’s having a pretty good season for the Astros.

The final tally:
Altuve, HOU: 5
Brian Dozier, MIN: 3
Robinson Cano, SEA: 3
Ian Kinsler, DET: 1

Sure, the other three receiving votes would have been solid selections, but can you overlook what Altuve has done? The “rise” of the Astros (and proclaimed as 2017 champs by Sports Illustrated) is a nice story. Altuve is instrumental in that.

Should Altuve be selected, this would be his second. He was part of the NL squad in 2012.