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Fantasy Baseball 2015 Player Outlook: 2B Jose Altuve

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By @BPiv_Sports

Jose Altuve

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

With a little more than a month left before pitchers and catchers report, it’s time to start looking ahead to the 2015 fantasy baseball season. We all know the No. 1 hitter and pitcher and who the top names are. However, there were a few surprise players from 2014 who jumped up huge in the early 2015 rankings. One of those players was Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve. Can he prove his worth again this season?

The Astros had very little pomp and circumstance heading into the 2014 season. Yet, by season’s end, the team had some fantasy-relevant players. Altuve led the league in hits (225) and average (.341). He finished with 56 stolen bases, eight behind Dee Gordon, and finished No. 1 on ESPN’s Player Rater.

As a result of his impressive 2014 season, Altuve’s fantasy price has skyrocketed. He entered 2014 with an ADP of 85.1 (ninth round). Fast forward one year and his ADP is currently 11.4 (second round). Very few batters can get to those levels once, let alone in back-to-back seasons.

Altuve does not provide a lot of power like some other early-round picks. He provides fantasy owners with a great average (or on-base percentage based on your league) and steals. The mantra is speed can be found late. Altuve is the perfect example. He was a mid-round pick and gave a top-tier performance.

Altuve stole 41 bases in the first half of the 2014 season and just 15 in the second half. Expect him to steal about 33-38 bases this season with a .310 average. There are plenty of speed guys to be found later in drafts, like Alcides Escobar (164.00 ADP). Escobar stole 31 bases last season with a .285 average.

Altuve is a great baseball player. He gets on base and swipes a few bags per game. However, as a one (or two) category fantasy player, he’s not worth a second-round pick.

Bill Pivetz is a fantasy sports blogger for Rant Sports. He also contributes to the MLB, NFL and Pro Wrestling sections. Follow him on Twitter @BPiv_Sports.

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