Major Leaguer resume Vol.86/WBC Player’s resume Vol.72:Jose Altuve(Houston Astros): Major Candidate for Team :Venezuela“Greatest 2nd Baseman!”

■Today's player
Today's player's resume concerns the Houston Astros' 2nd baseman, Jose Altuve. Altuve is from Venezuela and can commit to Team Venezuela in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.



■The KAISPO baseball Analyst comments
"Altuve would be the greatest treasure in MLB, with top-level skills in hitting, defense, running, and everything else necessary for a baseball player. He is a slugger who can hit a long ball with a bullet liner and a high batting average, handling the head part of the bat effectively.

His average in his 12 big league seasons has been over .300 with three-time batting champion, four-time 200-hit season, five-time 20-homer season, two-time 30-homer season, 6th straight 30-stolen base season. He also makes a fielding gem but sticks to the basics.

Altuve was named the 2017 AL MVP and helped the Astros win their first World Champ. The slugger is still 32. One of the best blessings is to see the great player still."

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■Story
Because Jose Altuve was short(5' 6''), it is said that the Astros initially didn't intend to contract with him. But they finally signed him in 2006, considering his skill.

Altuve was called up by the Astros to the major league for the first time on July 19, 2011, and debuted against the Washington Nationals at Minute Maid park the following day. He started the game as a second baseman and batting second, going 1 for 4 with the first career hit(single to the right) off right-hander Tyler Clippard. On August 20 against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the first, Altuve, as a lead-off hitter, hit an inside-the-park home run on a fly ball to left-center field for the first of his career facing lefty Madison Bumgarner. Jose finished his first season with .276, two long balls, and 12 RBIs in 57 contests. 

Since his debut season, the great infielder has led the Astros as an absolute second baseman. On offense, the right-handed slugger has batted over.300 seven times, including his career-high .346 in 2017 and winning a batting champion three times. Altuve hit double-digit home runs seven times, recording No.31 in 2019 and 2021. Additionally, he stole 30+ bases for six consecutive years since 2012, with his career-most 56 in 2014, and led the American League in stolen bases in 2014 and 2015. The 8-time All-Star slashed .346/.410/.547 with 24 homers and 81 RBIs in 2017, being named his first American League MVP. The 6-time Silver Slugger has marked .271 with the all-time second most, 23 home runs, 49 RBIs, and eight stolen bases in his 7-time career postseason, winning the World Series title twice. On defense, Altuve has a reputation as a sure-handed second baseman to receive the American League Gold Glove in 2015.

■Career stats
The 2017 MVP winner has recorded .307/.362/.468 with 192 home runs, 696 RBIs, and 279 stolen bases in 1578 outings in his 12 big league seasons at the end of the 2022 campaigns.
(MLB No.380 KAISPO No.1560)