Astros Countdown: Top Five Deserving All Stars

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Jun 10, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros center fielder George Springer (4) hits a single during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

George Springer has helped change what it takes to be a leadoff hitter in the game of baseball. Now, with a successful season so far in 2017, he may earn a spot on his first AL All Star roster.

Springer has a .277 batting average with a career high OPS of .906. He leads the Astros with 21 home runs and is second on the team with 46 RBIs.

To say that Springer has shown power from the leadoff spot may be a bit of an understatement.

With a 1.128 OPS and a .746 slugging percentage, Springer has hit eight of his 21 home runs in the first inning alone.

Also, Springer has not been stagnant in terms of offensive production. His batting average, slugging percentage and OPS have all increased each month as the season has gone on. In the month of June, he has a .308 batting average with eight home runs and 15 RBIs.

As a power hitter, Springer does strike out more than a leadoff man should. With a strikeout percentage of 23.1 percent, he leads the Astros this season with 71 strikeouts in 274 at bats. However, despite an 8.5 percent walk rate, Springer is tied for third on the club with Alex Bregman with 26 walks.

Springer seems to be in pretty good shape in terms of an appearance in the All Star game. He is currently in line for an AL outfield starting spot, taking third place behind Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Los Angeles Angles superstar Mike Trout. As one of the main power threats in a very powerful Astros lineup, Springer definitely deserves the national recognition that an All Star starting spot gets.

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