Houston Astros: It’s time for the mid-season awards

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 10: Jose Altuve #27 of Houston Astros rests his hat and glove in the dugout before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 10, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 10: Jose Altuve #27 of Houston Astros rests his hat and glove in the dugout before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 10, 2016 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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The Astros have a lineup, top to bottom, filled with All-Stars and award winners. With All-Star Week approaching, let’s dive into the mid-season awards.

You have a list of eligible candidates, and I am only going to pick one winner and then the honorable mentions. As a lifelong Astros fan and now sports contributor, I believe that there are multiple people all over this lineup that deserve recognition. Since this isn’t an FFPS league, not everyone is going to take home an award, however, that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve an award.

This topic is subjective, although, many of my picks can be backed by statistics and overall impact, there will always be those who see things differently. When you are done reading the article, let me know in the comment section which Astro player you would choose.

"Offensive MVP Nominees: Michael Brantley, George Springer, and Alex Bregman Starting Pitcher MVP Nominees: Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, and Wade Miley Top Rookie Nominees: Myles Straw and Yordan Alvarez"

(All awards will imply pre-all star break)

OFFENSIVE MVP

Alex Bregman: 3B  (ALL-STAR STARTER)

Avg. 268, 23 HR, 13 2B, 55 RBI, 58 R, 82 H, OPS .933, SLG% .541

Astros
CINCINNATI, OHIO – JUNE 19: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros hits a single in the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on June 19, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Offensive MVP doesn’t just take into account BA or one category over the other. In my calculations, I took into account the stat line and placed it higher than others. While Alex Bregman may not have the highest BA on the team, and there are others who have certainly performed at a high level all season long. Alex Bregman took the league by storm tying a club record for home runs in a single month back in May and hasn’t looked back.

He did go through an adjustment period but has come out of that, and has lifted his doubles number and is flirting with a 1.000 OPS. He said in a recent interview with Fox Sports his goal was to achieve an OPS of 1.200 somewhere around Barry Bonds type levels.

His ambition and drive for the game are seen at every at-bat, and even with 23 HRs, he still knows there’s more he can do to improve his plate appearances.

Alex Bregman was clearing the fence and trying to spark this offense even when the team was down. The leadership approach he takes at the plate and running the bases are the things that push him to the mid-season Offensive MVP.

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