There are several reasons for the Houston Astros’ stunning position at the top of the American League West standings.
A decent enough rotation led by dominant ace Dallas Keuchel; a dominant bullpen that is on a historic pace, threatening to set the record for lowest WHIP in a season since 1920; a powerful lineup that is among the best slugging teams in the majors; and a defense that is surprisingly effective at preventing runs.
You can point to a number of factors for the Astros sitting three games ahead of the Texas Rangers in the AL West, pushing their competitive clock ahead by about two years.
George Springer is yet another, even if everyone is failing to fully acknowledge his rise as one of baseball’s young stars.
George Springer isn't in the top 15 AL outfield vote which is an oversight. Product of how season started.
— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) June 22, 2015
“He's definitely All-Star worthy,” manager A.J. Hinch, a member of the AL All-Star coaching staff, told reporters Sunday. “There's some talented guys out there, but he should absolutely be in the conversation.”
Springer’s candidacy got off to a slow start this season following a breakout rookie year in which he slugged .804, hit 20 home runs and accumulated a 126 OPS-plus in 345 plate appearances.
Even though the Astros won 24 of their first 34 games to stun the American League, especially in the West, Springer, hitting anywhere from second to fourth in the order, batted .185/.327/.387 with a .713 OPS and 40 strikeouts in that time. Sophomore slump was written all over his season with that start, but things turned around in a hurry for the 25-year-old right fielder.
Springer, drafted 11th overall in 2011 and a top-25 prospect heading into last season, has unloaded in the 31 games since. Entering Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels, Springer hit .379/.434/.589 with a 1.023 OPS, eight doubles and six home runs. He has struck out 35 times—that will most likely always be a part of this game—but the non-strikeouts were far more productive during this stretch as his BABIP was an incredible .494.
He also went into Monday with a 14-game hitting streak, which was snapped Monday. During this recent run, he has been the team’s leadoff man in all but four of the games. Springer has a .440 OBP out of that spot and has become a dangerous source of power as six of his 12 home runs have come from place in the order.
Before Springer, Jose Altuve had been the team’s primary leadoff man. He has since dropped to third as Springer has emerged up top.
“I feel pretty excited about hitting behind, for me, the best hitter in the big leagues right now, which is George Springer,” Altuve told the Houston Chronicle’s Evan Drellich on Monday.
Part of Springer’s success this season has been an ability to hit the ball to all fields. He has adjusted to how he is being pitched as a power threat and is more willing to hit the ball up the middle and the other way for hits than in 2014.
He is pulling the ball nine percent less than he did last season, more than seven percent more of his balls are being hit to the middle of the diamond and nearly four percent more are going the other way, according to FanGraphs data.
“I understand that the object is to get to first base and I think that’s helped slow me down,” Springer told reporters Sunday. “Instead of me trying to hit a home run every single time, you know, I just understand that if I just take a nice, easy, controlled swing and get to first base for who’s ever up behind me, our offense can go.”
Springer is a soft speaker, often discussing himself with as few words as possible. Modesty is not a problem for a player who is eighth in FanGraphs WAR among all American League outfielders this season and fourth over the last 30 days going into Monday. His season OPS-plus was also up to 142 through Sunday.
“No,” Springer told reporters Sunday when asked if he'd thought about making the All-Star team. “I'm just out here trying to help us win. We're on a good streak right now.”
It is time, however, for the baseball-loving world to start recognizing Springer as one of the best right fielders in the game. He hits for power, gets on base, can steal a few—13 in 15 attempts—and is developing as a defensive right fielder.
Even if he does not burst onto the national stage this year as an All-Star, he is showing he has the tools to do so very soon. Possibly in October.
All quotes, unless otherwise specified, have been acquired firsthand by Anthony Witrado. Follow Anthony on Twitter @awitrado and talk baseball here.
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