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Houston Astros Jose Altuve, Award winning Second Baseman
By Danny Cagen
People seem to like Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve.
In a highlight-reeled 2016 season, Jose Altuve is being rewarded for his MVP-like play at the plate and on the field. The Houston Astros award-winning second baseman claimed his second AL batting title this season. As well as a slew of other awards that can ultimately lead him to an MVP nod.
AL #MVP finalists:
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 8, 2016
Mike Trout
Mookie Betts
Jose Altuve
In his sixth season, Altuve has established himself as one of the premier hitters in the game albeit his unorthodox size. Having hit the 200 hit mark for the third season in a row, and having reached 1,000 career hits this season, Altuve is primed for a record-breaking career.
So many awards, so little time
For the 2016 campaign, Altuve was larger than life. His final 2016 stats included an AL-leading .338 batting average, 24 home runs, 96 RBIs, 30 stolen bases along with 216 hits. As evidence of his historic season, Altuve was awarded the Sporting News’ Player of the year award by his peers on October 27. This announcement marks the first Sporting News award to an Astro since Jeff Bagwell did it in 1994.
Altuve is first Astro to win the award since Jeff Bagwell in 1994. https://t.co/vNqQ3c9GX6
— Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) October 27, 2016
But Altuve didn’t stop there. He was also awarded the AL’s Most Outstanding Player, as voted on by his peers
Jose Altuve was named the 2016 Players Choice MLB Player of the Year and the AL's Most Outstanding Player, as voted on by his peers.
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) November 10, 2016
Yesterday was no different as Altuve snatched up another award for his monster 2016 season at the plate with the coveted Silver Slugger award. This marks the third year in a row Altuve has been awarded the Silver Slugger at second base.
Altuve takes home 3rd straight Silver Slugger Award
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) November 11, 2016
https://t.co/wiV0Cug9fG
Will 2016 bring Altuve an MVP Award?
With his trophy case packed, the title this award-winning second baseman is most hankering for is the MVP award. As announced, Altuve joined perennial MVP running up Mike Trout of the LA Angels and Mookie Betts of the Boston Redsox as finalists for the award.
If history has taught us anything, it’s that the most valuable player award usually goes to the player whose team reached the playoffs.
In all likelihood, the award should go to Betts. But with Altuve’s colossal 2016 campaign, one can argue his candidacy as strong as anyone.
Next: Astros Bold Predictions: Team Adds Encarnacion and McCann
One thing we do know is, our “unorthodox” award winning second baseman will be terrorizing AL pitching for years to come. If the most coveted award somehow isn’t awarded to Altuve – one day he will be.
***Stats from Baseball-Reference***