Do you honestly think, when it comes to the All-Star game, that it matters? He's a significantly better offensive player and the best player on his team. Kipnis is a virtual lock to make the team; Altuve's only shot is via voting.
No, but defense matters... especially from a 2B. If you don't know how they compare, that's cool too.
Statistically using DR'S and UZR, they are about the same usually (i.e. within margin of error). Altuve may be better this year as Astros have had more success with shifts.
Damn, was hoping Altuve had more advantages besides SBs. Impressive for Kipnis to hit like that AND be on Jose level defensively.
Jose isn't particularly noted as a defender. Basically, he's good at what the Astros have needed him to be so far this season.
He ranks 3rd among all everyday postion players in the AL with a near 200-point advantage over Altuve in OPS. (And a near 3-point advantage in WAR, FYI.) I don't think defense really matters here; Kipnis, at least this year, is a significantly better offensive player and a lock to go in ahead of Altuve (if Jose isn't voted in).
Okay. I always thought he was good. He's sure-handed, turns the DP well, the back handed flips to 2nd. Where would you rank his defense on a 1-10 scale?
6. Size limits him. Gets by with hustle, and the team does well with shifts so he doesn't have to show great range.
Fair enough. Thanks _____ Voting ends today. And teams will be anounced next week. We'll see how everything works out.
Range kills him. Before this season, I would have given him a 2 or a 3. He is typically average or better on double plays and anything involving arm strength (e.g. shifting for RHB). Looking at his fielding spray charts, there are a lot less balls dropping between Altuve and CF and RF this year than last year, but Altuve is not the one catching them. My guess is that Springer is playing closer in this year and Marisnick covers a lot more ground than Fowler (though not as much as last season). He's also making more plays around 2nd or on other side of second suggesting Astros are either shifting better, he's playing in a better position in general, or the Astros are just getting lucky that opposing hitters are hitting it right at Altuve (or some combination of all three) when Altuve is standing on 2nd base. Basically, it looks like Astros are asking him to cover less ground as the SS, CF, and RF are likely effectively positioned closer to him more than they were last year.
Is this normal ? Telling fans to vote for other teams etc. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Full day of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VoteAltuve?src=hash">#VoteAltuve</a> prizes and sweeps so follow along and vote! And <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VotePirates?src=hash">#VotePirates</a> too! <a href="http://t.co/GEjoLoS5QO">http://t.co/GEjoLoS5QO</a> <a href="http://t.co/UCN7btmrux">pic.twitter.com/UCN7btmrux</a></p>— #VoteAltuve (@astros) <a href="https://twitter.com/astros/status/616635927515918336">July 2, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Ken Rosenthal has 2 Astros on his all-star team. Dallas Keuchel Carlos Correa(starting) ESPN's AL all-stars Jim Bowden: Dallas Keuchel, Jose Altuve(reserve) Jerry Crasnick: Dallas Keuchel, Jose Altuve(reserve) Tim Kurkjian: Dallas Keuchel, Jose Altuve(reserve), Will Harris Buster Olney: Dallas Keuchel Dave Schoenfield: Dallas Keuchel (Jose Altuve 'last man cut') Jayson Stark: Dallas Keuchel (Jose Altuve 'last man cut')
From 2004-13, only 15 non-closing relievers have been selected to the All-Star Game. In fact, in the past 10 years (2004-2013), of the 290 pitchers to be on MLB All-Star rosters, only 15 have been non-closing relievers. That's 5.2 percent. The last 13 were first-time All-Stars when they were chosen, mostly set-up men having exceptional seasons -- like McGee and Davis are now. There is a slightly positive trend for candidates like McGee and Davis, however. Eleven of those 15 non-closing relievers to make All-Star teams did it during the past five seasons (2009-2013) -- 11 out of 160 pitchers, or 6.9 percent. That's compared to just four of the 130 pitchers over the previous five seasons (2004-2008) -- just 3.1 percent of those All-Star pitchers were non-closing relievers. The full list of non-closing relievers to make an All-Star team between 2004 and 2013, and their teams, is as follows: 2013 -- Jesse Crain (CHW), Brett Cecil (TOR), Steve Delabar (TOR) 2012 -- None 2011 -- Aaron Crow (KC), David Robertson (NYY), Jonny Venters (ATL), Tyler Clippard (WAS) 2010 -- Matt Thornton (CWS), Arthur Rhodes (CIN), Hung-Chih Kuo (LAD), Evan Meek (PIT) 2009 -- None 2008 -- Carlos Marmol (CHC) 2007 -- Hideki Okajima (BOS) 2006 -- None 2005 -- Justin Duchscherer (OAK; also made All-Star team as a starter in 2008) 2004 -- Tom Gordon (NYY; also made All-Star teams as a closer in 1998 and 2006) http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/81720730/non-closing-relievers-face-tough-path-to-all-star-game
Yeah, I overshot that. Poll says majority think 2 Stros... Keuchel is the only sure bet and the other is uncertain. Altuve, Correa, maybe Harris. I think/hope Stros pull THREE, whoever they are.
Glad to hear With him winning the vote, Keuchel as a cy young candidate, Springer coming on, and Correa starting to impact, the national profile of our guys is starting to rise
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here are the AL final voting totals for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASG?src=hash">#ASG</a>: <a href="http://t.co/wpSgfrM7zT">pic.twitter.com/wpSgfrM7zT</a></p>— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLB_PR/status/617842394868940802">July 5, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Suspicious how Altuve sees a huge surge, but Springer (who's been the better player over the recent weeks) actually loses ground. Fishyness
