Astros Need 2014 Jose Altuve Back In The Lineup
By Yoni Pollak
The Houston Astros have surprised many this season, jumping out to a 41-30 record through 71 games this season, good for first place in the AL West.
Had you asked any Astro fan if it was possible this would happen they likely would have pushed you away, neglecting to even answer the question. The few that would have answered the question probably would have mentioned how if this crazy scenario were to happen, the Astros would need another incredible year from Jose Altuve.
Well, somehow the Astros have pulled off the improbable and it hasn’t been because of Jose Altuve.
Altuve started off the season hot but has cooled down over the last 50 days. Coming into Monday’s game against the Angels, Altuve has hit just .287 this season, a steep drop off from the Altuve we saw in 2014, when he finished the year with 225 hits, including a .341 batting average.
We couldn’t expect Altuve to hit .341 again but many expected an average in the .315-.325 range. After hitting .367 in April, Altuve wound up hitting just .231 in May and has slightly improved to .250 in June.
The 25-year old second baseman hasn’t looked the same at the plate this season. He’s been striking out more this season with 27 strikeouts through 63 games this year (he struck out just 53 times all of last season). His line-drive percentage has dropped two percent this season, and he’s hit 6.5 percent more infield pop-ups this season.
The good news is that Altuve should rebound from these numbers. His recent hamstring injury could be a blessing in disguise to the Astros as he now has had several mental days off. When the Astros tried to bring him back from the hamstring injury last week, Altuve didn’t look like himself at all, failing to run out grounders that came off his bat, a very anti-Altuve move.
The Astros hope the struggles are behind Altuve. They somehow managed to survive his .237 batting average since May 1st but who knows how much longer they can go with a struggling Altuve.
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When Altuve is fully healthy, don’t expect the Astros to insert him in the top of the lineup just yet. George Springer has been hotter than Stephen Curry throwing up threes during practice and the Astros won’t mess with his mojo at the top. Carlos Correa has looked great in the two-hole as well. Though Altuve was the team’s leadoff hitter most of last season, they’ll leave Springer and Correa at the top until a change is necessary.
Wherever the Astros slot Altuve, they need him back to 2014 season if they want to contend. His ability to get on base and steal bases was crucial to the Astros run-scoring last season and they could always use more men on base for their power hitters to drive in when they go deep.
Come back 2014 Jose! We miss you!
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