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Looking Back: First Half Awards for the Houston Astros

By Thomas O'Banion

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First Half Least Valuable Player

Jun 3, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter

Chris Carter

(23) is congratulated by shortstop

Jonathan Villar

(2) after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Seriously, guys! This is no time to celebrate!

No one wants to be the least valuable player on their team. If we were nicer people, we could’ve just omitted this award. But we aren’t nice, and it makes our blood boil to see guys give games away due to bad hitting or stupid base running errors or boneheaded defense. It’s part of the game, and they aren’t super human, but jeez, some of these guys are more prone than others to doing something that costs the team.

Anyhow, the guys that got this award the most this season are Jonathan Villar with three and Chris Carter with two. Both earned a hitter of the week award, but that doesn’t count for much when your name is down here. I’ll bet you’re surprised…(just kidding).

Here’s our staff picks:

Brian del Castillo: “Chris Carter is my least valuable hitter.  I find it hard to justify trotting out a guy who is hitting under .200 at a prime offensive position.  It’s been brutal.”

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    • Larry Manch: “Carter’s lack of production and spectacular ability to strike out makes him the least valuable Astro.”

    Brandon del Castillo: “This award goes to Chris Carter. Instead of building off of a big second half in 2014, Carter has been a tremendous disappointment. He has arguably been the worst 1st baseman in the major leagues. Honorable Mention – Jonathan Singleton.”

    Thomas O’Banion: “I’ll go with Jonathan Villar. He’s got the talent, but his head costs him. He could film a how-to video on TOOTBLANs.”

    Aric Cisneros: Chris Carter

    Issa Cook: “Chad Qualls. Every time he comes into pitch, I get nervous. Doesn’t belong on a contending team and needs to be dumped. Sometimes I think that I can go out there and pitch better (definitely not true). “

    Eric Huysman: “Carter, no one ever gets as many chances as he has to break out of a slump batting under .200, and his play has started hurting the Astros recently. The Astros need an upgrade at first base. One thing Carter can do well is take a walk and make pitchers work, but in fantasy baseball he is a big bust.”

    David A. Miniel: “While watching the Astros from a distance, the man who caught my attention was Chris Carter. Former hitting coach John Mallee turned this man into a machine during the 2014 campaign when he finished with 37 home runs, 88 RBI, 115 hits while slashing .227/.308/.779 in 507 at-bats.”

    Ok. That’s a wrap on the first half awards. Do you agree or disagree? We love our readers’ comments so let us know what you think: Correa vs. McCullers, Springer vs. Altuve, Carter vs. Villar.

    Next: Astros Mark Return To Relevance With All-Star Game

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