WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Feb. 21 (UPI) — Jose Altuve’s unmistakable 5-foot-6 frame was an MLB fixture behind second base for over the last decade, but the Houston Astros icon is embracing a move to the outfield in the latest chapter of his book on leadership.
Outside of the positional move, he’s a rare static superstar, willing to stay with his initial team instead of chasing checks to play elsewhere. His teammates laud his rare loyalty, while also inscribing mental notes about his preparation, and they regularly request advice from the weathered infielder.
“I like being here, obviously,” Altuve said Friday at Astros spring training in West Palm Beach, Fla. “I came up through the big leagues here. It’s a blessing for me, my teammates, the organization, the fans in Houston are great, like I always say. “I’m really happy.”
Altuve, 34, is entering his 15th season. The nine-time All-Star and 2017 American League MVP won two World Series with the Astros, but watched many of his closest friends and best teammates, including Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, George Springer and Kyle Tucker leave the team in recent years.
Altuve and the Astros stayed afloat, despite the high-profile departures. One reason was the second baseman’s ability to transform a clubhouse of unfamiliar faces into a bonded, but loose group, focused on the singular goal of winning.
Nearly all (1,765) of his first 1,821 career appearances were at second base. But this year at spring training, he continues to work in the outfield, even using teammate Jordan Alvarez’s glove for practice because his glove hadn’t arrived yet.
He also continues to impress newcomers with his practice intensity, while looking natural as he tracks sky-high baseballs near the warning track.
“So far, he is exactly who I thought he was going to be,” said Astros first baseman Christian Walker, who signed a three-year, $60 million deal in December.
“I think the selflessness of playing another position your whole life, then just grabbing another glove because that’s what the team needs, I think it’s commendable, for sure,” Walker said.
Altuve’s willingness to move, which differs from sentiments of other accomplished veterans around the league, allowed the Astros to bring in other talented players and create a more competitive roster.
“He is unreal, first as a person and how he prepares,” said utility man Mauricio Dubon, who won a Gold Glove Award in 2023. “There are no givens in baseball. You prepare so well. He has 2,000 something hits. It’s no coincidence. He does everything right. He is so smart, hitting and everything.
“He is a future Hall of Famer excited because he is going to change positions toward the end of his career. This is the type of person he is.”
The Astros advanced to the World Series four times in six years from 2017 through 2022. They won at least 90 games in all six of their 162-game seasons from 2017 through 2023, before going 88-73 in 2024. Oddsmakers project their win total at 87.5 in 2025.
Altuve, MLB’s active leader in batting average (.306), hit .295 with 20 home runs, 65 RBIs and 22 stolen bases last season. He hit hit .311 in 2023 and .300 in 2022.
The longtime Astros star said he stays in contact with his former teammates, but shifts his focus to his clubhouse once the season starts. He also is known to share all of the secrets that allowed him to excel.
The Astros signed Gold Glove second baseman Brendan Rodgers on Friday. Dubon, who started at seven positions last year, and journeymen Luis Guillorme and Zack Short are among other players expected to fill in at second base when Altuve isn’t manning it.
Astros manager Joe Espada said he will monitor how much ground Altuve covers while in left field during spring training to ensure he keeps his legs fresh.
“This guy wants to win,” Espada said of Altuve. “This guy is a winner. It’s more than just Altuve. He is not selfish. He cares about his teammates. He wants to finish his career as a winner. When players like that take the steps that he took to open the opportunities for others, that’s what leaders do.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have a front row seat to his career.”
Altuve is expected to make his first Grapefruit League appearance in left field. The Astros will start their spring training games against the Washington Nationals at 1:05 p.m. EST Saturday in West Palm Beach.
