Jun 22, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits a RBI single during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
2. Jose Altuve’s Hit Parade
In a year filled with many negative stories about the Astros – Leaked GM talks, MLB Draft disaster, George Springer contract offer, wheel in the clubhouse, amongst many others – the Astros did have a few bright spots.
Climbing Tal's Hill
George Springer’s HR barrage was nice, but that didn’t last the whole season. Prospects made their debuts and the younger prospects improved in the farm system. But those weren’t the best stories for the Astros in 2014.
It was Jose Altuve.
The 24-year old Altuve put on a clinic in the batter’s box. Hit number 211 broke an Astros single-season record for hits, held by Craig “Mr. 3000” Biggio. 14 more hits later and Jose Altuve stands firmly in the lead with 225 hits.
Every at-bat for the 5″6 Altuve brought smiles to the faces of Astros fans. Altuve hit .341 on the season and made sure to have a good time on the bases, swiping 56 bags. Altuve ended up winning the silver slugger award at second base and took home the MLB batting title in 2014. He’s a beast.
There’s no reason to believe he’s going to stop hitting anytime soon!