The Astros' lone representative in the Futures Game, Jose Altuve, started at second base for the World Team and he went 2 for 3 at the plate with a double and a single. He batted second in the order, and he really held his own in the biggest stage for baseball's youngest stars.
Altuve didn't waste any time in his first at-bat, and it only took him one pitch to hit a double down the third-base line. It was a hard hit ball that bounced off Will Middlebrooks' glove at third. Altuve was really hustling down the line, and he was able to reach second base safely.
In his second trip to the plate, Altuve watched a couple pitches and then lined a single up the middle. After his second hit, analyst Keith Law referred to Altuve as a "hitting machine." When talking about Altuve's strong offensive numbers, a couple others on the broadcast team said that his production so far has been "Robinson Cano like."
It's worth noting that Altuve recorded his first hit against Tyler Skaggs, and his second one came against St. Louis' Shelby Miller. Both pitchers have drawn rave reviews around the minors, and it says something that Altuve succeeded against each one.
His third at-bat came in the fifth inning against Tyler Thornburg, and he flew out to right field on the first pitch. Although he recorded an out, he really squared up the ball nicely and hit it hard.
Altuve also looked smooth in the field, and he helped turn a couple double plays for the World Team. His overall performance was great, and I hope this goes a long way in generating some more national publicity for Altuve because he deserves it.