Fansided

MLB power rankings: Top 25 current players

By Joshua Sadlock

April 8, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) celebrates after he hits a two run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 8, 2017; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) celebrates after he hits a two run home run against the Seattle Mariners in the seventh inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 11, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits an RBI-single against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits an RBI-single against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Jose Altuve

2B, Houston Astros

  • Career Stats: .311/.354/.435, 1,057 H, 205 2B, 201 SB
  • Career Accolades: 4x All-Star, 3x Silver Slugger, 2x batting champ, 3x league leader in hits, 2x league leader in steals, 2015 Gold Glove

Jose Altuve might be the smallest player in the league, but he is one of the most exciting. He has won two of the past three AL batting titles and has led all of MLB in hits in those seasons. Altuve nearly stole 60 bases in 2014, but has scaled back his aggressiveness on the bases as the Astros offense improves around him. He is still a threat to steal 50 bases, but staying still more often will preserve his body and avoid giving up unnecessary outs.

The big development for Altuve last season was his power stroke. He has hit over 40 doubles in three straight seasons, but hit more than 20 home runs for the first time in 2016. Altuve’s slugging percentage has increased for four straight years, although he may have maxed out last season. In 2016, he batted .376/.439/.552 on the road to help keep Houston afloat, nearly leading to an MVP award.

Altuve is the heart and soul of the Astros. The front office built most of the lineup with a complicated statistical model, but there is no accounting for a 5-foot-6 second baseman developing into a 30-30 threat and an annual MVP candidate. The Astros have built out dominant lineup around Altuve, but the offense still runs through him.

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