Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve could have used a stepladder Monday night.
The 5-foot-5 All-Star is having a monster season, leading the league in batting average (.345) and hits (221) while ranking third in steals (54). But he’s also the shortest active player in Major League Baseball, so sometimes he has to get a little wild and crazy in the batter’s box to make up for his lack of height. Like inventing a new type of swing, for example.
During a hit-and-run attempt in the top of the eight inning, Altuve went above and beyond — emphasis on the above — to make contact with a high fastball, even going so far as to leave his feet. Amazingly enough, Altuve not only managed to foul the pitch off, but he somehow got on top of the high heat, much to the surprise of Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos.
GIF via Gifulmination
Unfortunately for Altuve and the Astros, jump swings don’t always equate to wins. Houston fell to the Texas Rangers 4-3 in the battle of the lowly Lone Star State clubs.
