STACKING HARDWARE
Here are the top Astros candidates poised to make a run at MVP in 2023
Jan 9, 2023, 10:26 am
Can Yordan Alvarez build on his impressive 2022 season? Composite image by Jack Brame.
How a changing of the guard is impacting the landscape of Houston sports
Houston Astros power hitter Yordan Álvarez had a strong 2022 season that was capped off by a postseason run that included highlight reel plays that will live in the minds of fans for decades to come.
The 25-year-old slashed .306/.406/.613 along with 37 home runs and 97 runs batted in throughout the regular season, which were by far his strongest and most complete numbers throughout his young career. The Cuban native played in 135 games, making it back-to-back years when he has played in 130 or more games.
Heading into the 2023 season, there is one player on the Astros roster that stands above the rest when it comes to potentially winning the Most Valuable Player award in the American League, and that is none other than Álvarez.
Álvarez’ numbers were comparable to the 2022 AL MVP winner — Aaron Judge. The New York Yankees outfielder slashed .311/.425/.686 and hit 62 bombs and 131 RBI last season. Of course, Judge’s power numbers and runs scored tower over those put up by Álvarez, but Judge also played in 22 more games.
Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani, who was another player right in the mix for the 2022 AL MVP, slashed .273/.356/.519 and put up 34 home runs and 95 RBI for his team last season. Coincidentally, he also played in 22 more games than Álvarez. Ohtani also started in 28 games as a pitcher for the Angels.
When looking at the numbers, it is clear that Álvarez is in the same ballpark as the two front-runners in this season’s race. He certainly has the talent.
While Álvarez will not be stepping on the mound for the Astros anytime soon, Judge showed despite Ohtani’s versatility, he doesn’t necessarily have the award locked down. The biggest question mark could be Álvarez’ availability when it comes to locking down an MVP award.
Álvarez was on pace to hit 43 home runs with 112 RBI had he played in 157 games, just like Judge and Ohtani. In any given year, with similar slashes that he posted in 2022, those numbers will insert Álvarez right in the middle of an MVP race.
As it is every season, there will be other candidates that enter the race for AL MVP, and some could also even be on the Astros roster. Other considerations for Houston begin with second baseman José Altuve.
Altuve slashed .300/.387/.533 in 2022 and hit 28 home runs with 57 RBI, arguably his best season since his MVP year in 2017. Third baseman Alex Bregman also put together his strongest year since 2019 in 2022.
Not only did he play in 155 games for the Astros, but Bregman also slashed .259/.366/.454 with 23 home runs and 93 RBI. Bregman came close to winning the MVP in 2019, but fell short to Mike Trout.
Right fielder Kyle Tucker could also see his name thrown into the hat if he builds off his 2022 season. With 30 home runs, and a team-leading 107 RBI, the Tampa, Florida, native will be motivated to either secure a long-term contract or prove his worthiness of a recently acquired deal.
Jeremy Peña, while it may be a long shot, could be a viable option, especially after the strong postseason run he had in 2022 winning both ALCS and World Series MVP. Houston’s newest face, first baseman José Abreu, won the 2020 AL MVP. While Abreu’s numbers fell in 2022 from his career averages, being inserted into Houston’s lineup could ignite a new run that brings him back to the AL award.
Top to bottom, the Astros have multiple candidates that could realistically put together an MVP-worthy season. However, Álvarez leads the pack heading into 2023. He is currently the sixth favorite to win the award, according to Caesar’s Sportsbook at +1400. Bregman and Tucker are the next Astros on the list with +3500 odds.
One thing is for sure, with a lineup of Álvarez, Altuve, Peña, Bregman, Tucker and Abreu, the Astros will be one of the most high-powered offenses in 2023 again.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
NFL insiders hint at eye-opening future for Houston Texans offense
Dec 7, 2024, 2:38 pm
C.J. Stroud faced criticism in Houston's last few games as the Texans hit a rough patch after losing just two of their first eight games.
But the second-year quarterback remained confident and his strong performance last Sunday helped the Texans (8-5) to a 23-20 win over the Jaguars to enter their bye with a two-game lead atop the AFC South.
“When he is leading and playing the way he is playing, our entire team feeds off of him,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I am excited for his second year. I think he is showing a ton of growth, he is in a really great spot for us physically, mentally. I really love where he is and I am excited to see how he comes back after the break.”
Stroud threw for 242 yards and a touchdown against Jacksonville to leave him ranked fourth in the NFL with 3,117 yards passing this season. That game came after he threw two interceptions in a 32-27 loss to Tennessee a week before for the team’s third loss in four games.
Those two interceptions brought his season total to nine, which are four more than he threw in 15 games a rookie. But the Texans aren’t worried about that statistic and believe he has grown in his second year.
“He’s made a lot of progress,” general manager Nick Caserio said. “There are some plays, like all of our players, that we probably wish he could have back, but happy he’s our quarterback, happy with what he brings to the table. ... Wouldn’t want anyone else leading this team.”
The Texans are in position to win their division for a second straight season despite dealing with several significant injuries on offense. Running back Joe Mixon missed three games early with an ankle injury and leading receiver Nico Collins was sidelined for five games with a hamstring injury.
They also lost four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs for the season when tore an ACL in Week 8.
Mixon leads the team with 887 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns and has added four touchdown receptions. His work in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati has helped the team deal with those significant injuries to the receiving corps.
Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 88.7 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing in seven games.
Stroud has continually raved about Mixon’s contributions on and off the field.
“He’s a servant, a helper,” Stroud said. “That’s ultimately what I want to be as well. Who can I serve and how can I help? That’s ultimately what the game of football is.”
While Mixon has been the team’s most important new acquisition on offense, Danielle Hunter has been Houston’s new defensive star. The defensive end spent his first eight seasons in Minnesota before joining the Texans this year.
He has helped Houston lead the NFL with 84 tackles for loss after piling up 15 this season, which is tied for third most in the league. He also leads the Texans with 10½ sacks to help them rank second with 42.
Hunter been a great addition to a team that already had defensive end Will Anderson Jr., last year’s AP Defensive Rookie of the Year. Anderson ranks second to Hunter on the team with 13 tackles for loss and 9½ sacks.
Ryans said this week’s break is much needed for a team that opened the preseason on Aug. 1 in the Hall of Fame game.
“It’s here and we’re going to take advantage of it,” he said. “We’ve been going at it for a long time.”
The Texans need to recharge this week with a brutal stretch of three games in 10 days when they return from their bye. Houston hosts Miami on Dec. 15 before a trip to Kansas City on Dec. 21 and a visit from the Ravens on Christmas Day.
“It’s Christmas and all that, but we can’t worry about that. All we can do is focus on Miami,” Caserio said. “And then when we get through the Miami game, then we kind of turn the page to the next. ... We’re either going to earn it or we’re not. Not to oversimplify it, but that’s the truth.”
The Texans will play those game without starting linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair after he received a three-game suspension for his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair will be eligible to return for Houston’s regular-season finale against Tennessee.