Astros second baseman Jose Altuve named AL MVP Award finalist

The Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) announced the finalists for their yearly awards on Monday night, included among them was Astros second baseman Jose Altuve. Altuve named a finalist for the 2016 Most Valuable Player Award with Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts and Angels outfielder Mike Trout.

As noted by the Astros press release:

Altuve won the AL batting title with a .338 (216x640) average in 2016, while posting 108 runs scored, 42 doubles, 24 home runs, 96 RBI, 60 walks, 30 stolen bases, a .396 on-base percentage, a .531 slugging percentage and a .928 OPS. In addition to leading all American League players in batting average, he also led the circuit in hits, while ranking tied for second in stolen bases, third in WAR (7.6), tied for third in doubles, fourth in OBP, fourth in total bases (340) and fifth in OPS. On top of his well-rounded season, Altuve took home two AL awards in 2016, the AL Player of the Month for June and the AL Player of the Week for the week of April 11-17.

Altuve will be first Astros players to finish in the top three in voting since first baseman/outfielder Lance Berkman who finished third in NL MVP voting in 2006 and 2002.

Altuve is the first second baseman to reach 100 runs, 200 hits, 40 doubles, 20 homers, 95 RBI and 30 steals in a single season — he is just the sixth player overall reach that mark.

Altuve has already been awarded the 2016 Sporting News Player of the Year, an award which is voted on by players from both leagues and given to the Major League player who had the most outstanding season.