Houston Astros’ Jose Altuve: Short in Stature But Long on Talent

Through games of July 21st, 2014 the American League leader in batting average (.336) hits (135) and stolen bases (41) is not one of the usual suspects. Nope, this offensive weapon is Jose Altuve, the second baseman of the Houston Astros, and he is quietly establishing himself as and up and coming star.

We could say that the  5’ 5” or 5’ 6” Altuve (his height varies with the source) is operating under the radar but we won’t do that. His relative obscurity has more to do with the fact that the Astros haven’t been very good in recent years, and have spent this season at or near the bottom of the American League West standings. We are still getting used to the Astros even being in the American League; they were realigned into the A.L. in 2013 after five decades in the National League. Here’s Altuve stealing home against the Detroit Tigers earlier this season:

Altuve reminds us of another quick and speedy short second baseman of the past, Fred Patek, who stole 490 bases with the Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, and California Angels in a 14 year career from 1968-81. Patek, however never came close to winning a batting title, while Altuve has a shot to do so.