Is Astros’ Yordan Alvarez slugging way to AL Triple Crown? originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Yordan Alvarez watched the 89-mph changeup approach low in the strike zone. The pitch’s location mattered little. The Houston Astros slugger bent his knees and connected on a 369-foot grand slam home run off Athletics rookie pitcher Kade Morris.
Advertisement
Alvarez’s 22nd homer not only proved to be the winning blast during Saturday’s 13-2 win at Daikin Park, but it moved him into the lead for the AL Triple Crown. Following his 1-for-3 effort, Alvarez increased his batting average to .316 and his RBI total to 48.
The advantage didn’t lost long, however.
Tampa Bay Rays’ Yandy Diaz went 3-for-5 Saturday, raising his batting average to an AL-best .326. Alvarez ranked second in hitting, but collected two more homers than injured Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami. He paced teammate Christian Walker by two RBI.
With 191 career homers, the eight-year big leaguer is cruising toward a career campaign. In 2022, he posted a personal-best 37 homers and in ’21 drove in 104 runs.
Advertisement
A three-time all-star and former Silver Slugger award recipient, Alvarez remains an early contender for AL MVP. If he continues his Triple Crown chase, can the 2019 AL Rookie of the Year add to his treasure chest?
He is attempting to become the 12th AL player to achieve the feat, the first since Detroit Tigers icon Miguel Cabrera in 2012.
Can Alvarez continue to produce on a 30-36 squad?
Here is a list of the 11 AL players who earned a triple crown. leading the league in batting average, home runs and RBI:
Year, Player
-
1901, Nap Lajoie
-
1909, Ty Cobb
-
1933, Jimmie Foxx
-
1934, Lou Gehrig
-
1942, Ted Williams
-
1947, Ted Williams
-
1956, Mickey Mantle
-
1966. Frank Robinson
-
1967, Carl Yaztremski
-
2012, Miguel Cabrera
