The Little Star Shining Bright : The José Altuve Story Pt. 2

Last week we covered José Altuve's childhood and how his passion for baseball developed. We also delved into how he got scouted and signed by the Astros, and then went into an interview where Altuve professes how his faith in God kept him going all these years despite all the odds stacked against him.

In this part we are going to see how Altuve progressed through the Minor Leagues with the Astros and in getting called up from Double-A straight to the Major Leagues in 2011. To finish off this part we'll then explore his first couple of seasons in the Major Leagues up until 2016, which included his breakout years garnering four All-Star appearances and two American League Batting Champion Titles.

Rise Through the Minors

Altuve's first season in the minors after signing with the Astros was in 2007 at 17 years old. In 64 games played, he batted .343 with the Venezuelan Summer League Astros. Playing with teammates and opponents 2-3 years older than him, José would earn a starting lineup slot and never looked back as he impressed and exceeded all expectations anyone would have of him (ESPN).

In Rookie Ball with the Greenville Astros in 2008 Appalachian League, Altuve's average dipped slightly, but still batted .284 in 40 games played.

In 2009, between the Greenville Astros and Tri-City Valley Cats in Rookie Ball and Class-A Short Season respectively Altuve batted .302 in 66 total games, along with 28 stolen bases.

(Credit: Minor League Baseball's Facebook)

In 2010, he would progress a level again as he went from Class-A Full Season with the Lexington Legends to High-A with the Lancaster JetHawks batting .301 in 125 games with 15 home runs and 42 stolen bases.

In Altuve's 2011 breakout season in the minors, he started in High-A, progressed to Double-A with the Corpus Christi Hooks. Throughout the 87 games he played in the minors that year he batted .389 with 10 home runs and 24 stolen bases. Altuve's ability to hit for contact and get on-base started to become more well-known nationwide as he would be named by Baseball America the starting second basemen on the Minor League All-Star team (Amino).

2011 Rookie Season

But, on July, 20, 2011, Altuve would get called up to the Major Leagues with the Astros and make his debut in a 3-2 win over the Washington Nationals going 1-for-5, achieving his first Major League hit as well. Across 57 games throughout the rest of his Rookie 2011 MLB season, he would bat .276 with two home runs and seven stolen bases.

(Credit: Amino)

In his rookie season, one of his tools that was most noticeable was his speed. In a game against the San Francisco Giants at Minute Maid Park, Altuve hit one off the center field wall and it took an awkward deflection, which resulted in José motoring around the bases to score an inside-the-park home run, his first Major League home run as well.

2012-2016 Seasons : Rise to Stardom

In Altuve's first full MLB season in 2012, José batted .290 in 147 games played, hitting seven home runs and stealing 33 bases. This would earn him the nod of being named an All-Star Game Reserve player. From playing in the Venezuelan Summer League only 5 years prior, it would be an understatement to say Altuve had a rapid ascension, and taking into account all Altuve had to overcome with constantly being judged about his height, this a major feat.

(Credit: Houston Chronicle)

With his success in the past season, Altuve would have a relatively below average season in 2013. He would go on to bat .283 with 5 home runs and 35 stolen bases. With the Astros switching to the American League in 2013 and being in the peak of their 100-loss season years in the early 2010s, Altuve was one of the only bright spots with his exciting style of play. Early in his career, Altuve was known for his contact and speed tools, and this is what led the Astros fans of those rebuilding years to adore him, as often he would be the one getting hits, stealing bases, and making exciting plays at second base.

José would completely flip the script in 2014 as he won the Batting Title having an average of .341. He would also lead the American League with 56 stolen bases and the entire MLB with an astonishing 225 total hits throughout the season. He would go on to be named an All-Star for the second time, a Silver Slugger for his position, and rank 13th in the American League MVP voting.

(Credit: Houston Astros Twitter)

His 2015 season would be similar to the season prior as he would bat .313 with 15 home runs and lead the American League with 38 stolen bases and 200 hits. These efforts would earn him the nod of being named a starter at second base at the American League All-Star Game. He would earn the Silver Slugger award once more, as well as his only Gold Glove award. He would also climb three spots from the past season and be ranked 10th in the American League MVP voting. The Astros would also make the playoffs for the first time in 10 years since they lost the World Series in 2005 to the White Sox. While Altuve didn't contribute much in his first postseason experience , the Astros would win the Wild Card game against the New York Yankees, but then ultimately lose the AL Division Series 3-2 to the Kansas City Royals. Nonetheless, his first taste of the playoffs would become crucial as we all know he becomes overpowering in the postseason from 2017 onwards.

Altuve would continue his dominance in 2016 as he would lead the American League with a .338 batting average, the entire MLB with 216 hits, and make the podium in being ranked third in the American League MVP voting. The 2016 season was his first real power year as he would go on to hit 24 home runs, an amount that exceeds all expectations due to his height and style of play. He once again achieved 30 plus stolen bases in the season hitting that mark exactly. He would also be named an American League All-Star Game starter for the second time (4th overall appearance), win the Silver Slugger award for the third year running, and play in all 162 games but one during the season showcasing his durability and consistency.

Altuve's High Level of Consistency

The seasons from 2012 through to 2016 showcases Altuve's consistency as he would average in playing in about 154 games out of the 162 in the season every year. Adding his ability to hit in the .300s every year in the highest level of baseball, steal bases with his speed on the basepaths (averaged 38.4 stolen bases from 2012 to 2016), and lead the his team to their first postseason berth in 10 years in 2015, Altuve proved why he has been a mainstay in every Astros' fans heart since he made his Major League debut in 2011.

Closing Thoughts

It's a story and a person you just can't help but root for. From being rejected multiple times by baseball teams and coaches because of his small stature throughout his childhood, to being the smallest player in Major League Baseball shining bright on the biggest stage there is, Altuve is a living example of being able to overcome anything. He knew he had a passion for baseball and wanted to play it in the United States in the MLB and wasn't going to take no for an answer. Along with the support from family members and coaches close to him and the right attitude and behavior on and off the field, José Altuve showcases why it's magnificent to think what any one person can accomplish when they have a burning passion for something and will never give up despite all the obstacles thrown their way.

Tune in next week for the third part of this series where we'll look at Altuve's success in the seasons from 2017 through 2019, encompassing the first half of Astros' dynasty.

All stats courtesy of José Altuve's Baseball Reference page.