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Astros: MVP – Springer, Letdown – White, Surprise – Brantley
Who is the top Astros’ offensive performer, who’s not playing up to expectations, and what player has surprised us. Springer, White, & Brantley maybe?
We’re approximately one-fifth of the way into the season and the Astros are, as usual, in first place in the AL West Division. Let’s take a step back and do an assessment of performances of George Springer, Tyler White and Michael Brantley.
Some have played a large role in keeping the team on top, a few haven’t necessarily carried their weight, and then there are those that have played beyond what was expected of them. Let’s break it down and see who is the offensive MVP, disappointment and surprise up to this point in the season.
Offensive MVP- George Springer
HOUSTON, TEXAS – MAY 09: George Springer #4 of the Houston Astros hits a solo home run in the third inning against the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park on May 09, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
On the verge of having the best season of his career, Springer is off to a great start to the year. His slash line is .301/.386/.623, all three numbers better than any of his previous five seasons. Springer leads the team in Runs 29, RBIs 33, HRs 13, SB 4, and Total Bases 91. He also is on top with a 1.009 OPS and a 170 OPS+.
Not only is Springer leading the team in those categories, but he’s also in the top ten in the AL in at least 17 different offensive statistics. Including 1st in HRs, TBs and RCs (Runs Created) at 36. He’s definitely on track to make his 3rd trip to the All-Star Game and garner quite a few votes for MVP.
Springer is becoming the ultimate and complete leadoff hitter utilizing speed, power and contact hitting. Amazingly, he has reached base in all but two of the 38 games he’s played to date. It’s a tough call at this point, with several players having great seasons, but he gets my vote for offensive MVP of the team at this early stage of the season.
Offensive Letdown – Tyler White
In my opinion, Tyler White has been the most disappointing offensive player so far in 2019. White’s slash line of .258/.356/.323 doesn’t necessarily look that bad at first glance. But it’s when you dig a little deeper is where you start to see his pitfalls.
In White’s 22 appearances and 62 at-bats, he’s only managed to knock in two runs and has scored five times. Batting .258 isn’t anything to throw a stick at, but with runners in scoring position is where the problem lies. His current BA is .133 in the 15 ABs he’s had with RBI opportunities, striking out in 10 of those chances.
Speaking of strikeouts, White has struck out 26 times in those 62 ABs, not a very good ratio to say the least. While his strikeout rate is climbing, his power numbers are falling. He has failed to knock one over the wall yet this year after hitting 12 homers last season.
I think the front office, and the fans alike were expecting a lot more out of White this year. But with the numbers mentioned above, an OPS+ of just 89 and a team-low -0.2 WAR, I’d say White has been quite the disappointment. He’d better keep an eye in the rear view mirror, because there’s plenty of talent in the Minors just waiting to get that call-up.
Offensive Surprise – Michael Brantley
You would have a hard time convincing me there was a better free agent signing this past offseason than Michael Brantley. Yes, there were the huge multi-year contracts of Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, but they may be on their team’s disappointment lists.
Everyone knew that Brantley was a good player and would most likely be an asset as a regular fixture in left field. But nobody would have predicted that he’d be having the type of year he’s enjoying with the Astros, and by looking at the photograph above, he’s having a blast in the process.
Brantley is sporting a slash line of .340/.390/.603 and a .992 OPS, all career bests. That batting average is tops on the team and 2nd in the American League. His 48 hits on the season lead the league. Like Springer, he ranks in the top ten of the league in many other offensive categories.
The three-time All-Star also is seeing an uptick in his power numbers this season. Just 38 games into the season, Brantley has hit nine home runs, well on pace to eclipse his season high of 20 dingers. He also looks to hit a career-high in doubles if he keeps hitting them at his current rate, he’s hit ten to date.
A. J. Hinch has been utilizing Brantley at DH more than he’s accustomed to and it’s something he says takes some getting used to. But looking at his numbers, .428/.520/1.000, I’d say he doesn’t seem to need too much adjusting.
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Brantley is having a career year and may give Springer a run for his money seeking MVP votes, and White has some obvious work to do. But at this juncture of the season, these are my current MVP, letdown and surprise players on the Astros’ offense. There’s a lot of season ahead and this will definitely be revisited later in the year.