Houston Astros: CTH’s Top-25 Astros All-Time Hitters

#14 Top Hitter

Kevin Bass by Cody Poage

There were numerous position players throughout the 1980’s who helped define one of the most successful era of Astros baseball. The play of outfielder Kevin Bass was one of the reasons why that was the case.

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Acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in 1982 along with Frank DiPino and Mike Madden for Don Sutton, Bass ended up becoming one of the Astros most talented hitters from 1982-89. His All-Star caliber season from 1986, in particular, is arguably the best of his major league career.

That season, Bass slashed a .311/.357/.486 batting line to go with 20 home runs, 79 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. He also maintained an impressive 134 wRC+ and 5.2 WAR. Partially because of his efforts, the Astros were only mere outs away from advancing to the World Series.

He also had notable moments outside of his 1986 season. For example, during a game with the San Francisco Giants in 1987, Bass became only the 15th switch hitter in Major League history to hit a home run from both sides of the plate.

Bass would remain a mainstay in the Astros lineup until the 1989 season, and he would eventually finish his career playing for the San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and Baltimore Orioles before calling it quits following the 1995 season. But he finds himself on this list due to his notable contributions as an Astro first and foremost. In fact, his 16.6 WAR is ranked 15th overall in franchise history. Needless to say, Bass has a special place in Astros history.

Next: 13th All-Time Astros Hitter