MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players in the game today

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 09: Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) during an at bat in the second inning of a game against the Milwaukee Brewers played on April 9, 2019 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TEXAS – APRIL 10: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros receives congratulations from third base coach Gary Pettis #8 after hitting a home run in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Minute Maid Park on April 10, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

5. Jose Altuve

At 5-foot-6, Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is the league’s tiniest superstar since 5-foot-4 Hall of Famer Willie Keeler was slapping singles off home plate in the Dead Ball Era. The comparisons between Altuve and Keeler, however, stop at the height. Altuve will never hit .424 like Keeler did in 1897, and while Keeler hit 33 home runs in 23 seasons, Altuve already has nine this season.

The Astros essentially signed Altuve as a teenager in Venezuela as a favor because he kept showing up at their training base. Little did they know the diminutive second baseman would emerge as one of the best hitters in baseball and the heart and soul of a World Series winner. Altuve has led the league in hits four times in eight full MLB seasons and also has three batting titles.

Primarily a contact hitter the first three years of his career (.285/.323/.377 with 14 home runs and 101 RBI in 356 games), Altuve has developed into a real power threat. He has hit .329/.383/.491 since 2014 with 199 doubles, 18 triples, 92 home runs and 174 stolen bases in 789 games. Altuve already has nine home runs and 19 RBI this season, though his batting average is down slightly.

Through this point in their respective careers, Altuve has 100 more hits than Pete Rose. Provided he does not suffer a serious injury, Altuve will be in the hunt for 3,000 hits, 200 home runs and 300 stolen bases. That will be more than good enough for a spot in the Hall of Fame when it’s all said and done.

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