Houston Astros Have Back to Back AL Player of the Week Winners

Houston Astros Players are Getting Noticed Despite Slow Start

The Houston Astros may be in last place going into the big series kicking off the 2016 battle for the Silver Boot versus the Texas Rangers tonight, but they are still getting noticed early. Many predicted that the Astros had a shot to go deeper in the playoffs this season, but they are off to a rough start so far. Despite the 5-8 start to the 2016 season, the Astros have had back to back AL Player of the Week winners.

Tyler White‘s heroics during his first week in the MLB won him the first award. That week versus the Yankees and Brewers, White hit .556/ two doubles/ three homers/ 9 RBI. His hot start gave Astros’ fans something to be excited about despite the way they played on the road. While there was little chance that White could maintain that for a whole season, I wrote that he could be an early favorite for Astros Rookie of the Year: Tyler White Could Win Rookie of the Year For the Astros.

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While White is not in a slump, he has cooled off a little, which was expected. But White is still tied with the most home runs, four, with this week’s AL Co-Player of the Week, Jose Altuve. Altuve struggled a little out of the gate but has heated up since returning home to H-Town. Altuve surprised Astros fans and fantasy baseball owners last year alike by adding power to his game. He and Mark Trumbo were the co-winners of the award this week.

Altuve was known for his speed and batting average in the past, but the Astros second baseman is turning into a player that we grew up watching. Altuve is becoming a player very similar to what Hall of Famer Craig Biggio brought to the Astros of old.

Next: Astros Bold Prediction: Colin Moran will be Starting 3B in June

This past week, Altuve hit .407/ 3 doubles/ 3 homers/ 7 RBI. He also leads baseball with six stolen bases. He is the table setter for the Astros, and they go as he goes. The Astros top three hitters could make several appearances on this list this year. Had Springer had a better series versus the Royals, he might have given Altuve a run for the award.

**Stats from Baseball-Reference**