Over the past four seasons, coinciding with his emergence as an elite player, Altuve has put more first pitches in play than any hitter in the game. He batted .425 last season on 134 first pitches after bashing .430 in 2014 on 151 first pitches, with three home runs each season. The payoff: a .341 overall average, an American League batting title in 2014 and a .313 average last year.
The little man is doing big damage as the most prolific ambusher in the game.