Houston Astros: Looking at Jose Altuve’s greatness
By David Hill
There is no question that the Houston Astros have a star in Jose Altuve. But does he get enough credit for what he has accomplished during his career?
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is a lesson in persistence and making sure that one gets their chance. He was infamously cut from an Astros tryout camp in Maraguy due to his size, but he went back the following day armed with his birth certificate, showing that he was truly 16 years old. Given his chance on the field, Altuve proved that he could be special, eventually signing for a $15,000 bonus.
That has proven to be money well spent. Since making his major league debut in 2011, Altuve has become the cornerstone for the Astros, a true star in every sense of the word. He has built an impressive resume, becoming a five time All Star and the 2017 AL MVP. Altuve has won three batting titles, had four consective seasons with over 200 hits, and stolen at least 30 bases six times. He may only stand 5’6″ on the field, but he is a giant in the Astros lineup.
As impressive as Altuve has been already, he may only be getting started. He turns 28 years old today, still putting him in the beginning of his prime. And yet, his numbers are already impressive, as he has accumulated 1295 hits, 232 steals, and a .317/.363/.453 batting line heading into yesterday’s action.
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It is easy to understand that, when watching Altuve on the diamond, one is in the presence of greatness. He has established himself amongst the greatest Astros in team history, his 31.2 WAR ranking ninth all time on the franchise. As he remains under team control through 2024, it seems likely that he will surpass the likes of Lance Berkman, Cesar Cedeno, and Jose Cruz to take his place in the Astros Mount Rushmore.
But it is easy to forget exactly how special Altuve has been thus far in his career. His 1295 hits before his 28th birthday rank 98th in baseball history, ahead of Hall of Famers Rickey Henderson, Willie Mays, and Rod Carew. As all three players eventually joined the 3000 hit club, is it possible that Altuve could one day join those ranks as well?
Given his skillset, it is likely that Altuve will be able to remain a solid player as he ages. His contact oriented approach should continue to help Altuve climb up the ranks in the coming years, while his speed helps him leg out base hits and get extra bases. Another four or five years from now, it would not be a surprise to see Altuve’s burgeoning Hall of Fame case become that much stronger.
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The Houston Astros have a special player in Jose Altuve. That greatness should only increase over time.