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Houston Astros: Could Marwin Gonzalez make the All-Star Team?

By Jason Evans

May 29, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Marwin Gonzalez (9) doubles during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
May 29, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Marwin Gonzalez (9) doubles during the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Astros have been a force over the first two months of the season. They’ve gotten production from everywhere in their lineup, including super utility man Marwin Gonzalez. Could he make the American League All-Star team?

The Houston Astros are off to an incredible start this season. They already have an 11 game lead going into action last night and have a 38-16 record. The only other American League team with 30 wins thus far is the New York Yankees.

A major reason why is their offense. The lead the majors in batting average, hits and runs, They are second in OPS and homers. It’s an incredibly hard lineup to navigate through if you are an opposing pitcher. They have star players like Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa, veterans like Brian McCann and Carlos Beltran and a up and comer in Alex Bregman.

They also have a guy who’s played six different positions for them who’s having an incredible year in his own right in utility man Marwin Gonzalez. In fact, he’s doing so well offensively, that could he be considered for the American League All-Star team?

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Gonzalez has only had 130 at-bats thus far this season, so he hasn’t qualified in terms of being among the league leaders for categories like batting average and OPS, however, it doesn’t take away from his production.

Gonzalez is tied for ninth with 12 homers in those 130 at bats. His 34 RBI also finds him tied for ninth with Correa, Robinson Cano and Justin Smoak. His OPS thus far is 1.040. The only qualified players with an OPS over 1.000 are Mike Trout and Aaron Judge thus far this season. His OBP of .401 this season would be fourth behind Trout, Judge and Minnesota Twins slugger Miguel Sano.

His versatility also plays to his advantage. Terry Francona in the late innings may want someone with his flexibility in the All-Star Game to move him around and get who he wants out there (even though this time it doesn’t count)

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If Gonzalez continues at this pace, even in limited action, he’s going to be hard to leave off of the American League All-Star team this July. He is a weapon for a team in the Houston Astros with plenty of them offensively. Although he’s never produced like this before, he did turn 28 this year, so maybe as he’s entering his prime, he’s starting to figure things out.

Keep an eye on him as we get closer to the All-Star break. He may find himself in Miami instead of with four days off this year.

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