What a feat for him. His improved patience is such a game changer, he has gone from All star to top 5 MVP candidate.
I hope he's able to sustain it; he regressed throughout the second half (his post-ASB pace was just 43 walks) and was especially impatient the final 45 games, when he totaled just 10 walks (in 194 PAs) and his OB% fell 35 points. I don't know if he wore down, pressed, was hurt... but it'll be interesting to see how he adjusts next year. He's absolutely the team's motor; I don't think it's a coincidence that as he faltered, so did the team (23-22). Hopefully, they'll get help and lessen his burden next year.
Patience growing thin, fatigue, pressing due to pressure or team slow-down. Lots of potential reasons. Given his propensity to improve every offseason even at his elite level, I have to think he's going to push to replicate his 1st half throughout the season (in terms of patience)
I think he just physically wore down. He is not a very big guy and he plays very hard and doesn't miss many games/at bats. Hopefully next year the Astros will be in a position to get him 8-10 games of rest... this year he missed only one game with over 700 plate appearances.
