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Is Jose Altuve the next Craig Biggio for the Houston Astros?

By Blake Permenter

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With the Hall of Fame introduction coming up, all of Houston will have their eyes on Craig Biggio, and rightfully so. The Astros catcher-turned second baseman accomplished many feats in his illustrious career, including surpassing the 3,000 hit mark. Biggio is also the all-time leader in HBP. However, I’m sure that feat doesn’t feel quite as good these days.

With Biggio eight years retired, Astros fans now get to watch the next up and coming second baseman, Jose Altuve. The reigning AL batting champ has already racked up impressive numbers in his short career, including surpassing Biggio for the Astros’ single-season hits total in 2014. The hustle and leadership between the two are very comparable but is that all?

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Let’s compare Altuve’s career to the Hall of Famer’s at nearly the same points.

Altuve is in his fifth season. Therefore, I grabbed his stats through five years and used them against Biggio’s first five years. As the season still has a ways to go, Biggio ended up with 45 more games played in this sample size.

Comparing

Bare with me now, a lot of stats are coming your way.

Apr 6, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros former player and 2015 Hall of Fame inductee Craig Biggio waves to the crowd before a game against the Cleveland Indians at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

From 1988-1992, Biggio made two All-Star games, along with posting:

  • 645 Games, 302 Runs, 624 Hits, 106 2B, 30 HR, 192 RBI, 109 SB, 256 BB, 338 SO and a slash line of .274/350/370.

From 2011-present, Altuve has made three All-Star games, along with posting:

  • 600 Games, 302 Runs, 732 Hits, 141 2B, 29 HR, 200 RBI, 157 SB, 134 BB, 275 SO and a slash line of .301/.339/.403.

Not bad for the young guy, huh? Now let’s look at what these numbers average out to per 162 games played.

  • Biggio: 77 Runs, 157 Hits, 27 BB, 8 HR, 48 RBI, 28 SB.
  • Altuve: 82 Runs, 198 Hits, 37 BB, 8 HR, 54 RBI, 43 SB.

While nothing on paper can show the grit and hustle, Biggio displayed through his illustrious career, us Astros fans remember good and well the effort number 7 gave us year in and year out for his entire career. However, numbers like this can get you thinking.

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Of course Biggio was just beginning and improved over time, especially power wise, we might be seeing that from 5’5 Altuve as well. Coming off of a .341 season, there is no doubt that he is on the rise and should be a .300 hitter for years to come.

I’m not trying to hint at the fact Altuve is already a better ballplayer than Biggio, a small sample size of pre-prime baseball could never do such a thing. I am hinting at the fact that Houston now has another exciting playmaker manning that position that Biggio held for so long. Biggio was the man, and there is no doubt about that. Given the hot start, however, a healthy Altuve could eventually break more of his records.

Next: Houston Astros: Carlos Gonzalez May Be On The Move

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