Astros believe club merits multiple All-Star nods

HOUSTON -- After having only one player represent the club at the All-Star Game in the previous four seasons, Astros second baseman Jose Altuve says it's time for multiple Astros players to make the trip to the Midsummer Classic next month.

Altuve, who leads the Major League in hits, is certainly on pace to make his first All-Star Game as a member of the American League -- he was on the National League All-Star team in 2012 -- next month in Minneapolis. Starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel and outfielders Dexter Fowler and George Springer could also get some All-Star love, though only Altuve is in the top five in voting at his position. Pitchers, of course, aren't on the fan balloting, and Springer isn't on the ballot, but could be a write-in candidate.

"I'm going to vote for Jose as many times as they let me," Springer said.

Altuve said he's going to do the same for Springer.

"He's a guy that deserves to be there," he said. "I think the Astros have to take more than one player to the All-Star Game this year. The guys are playing really good and there's more than one guy who deserves to be on the All-Star team."

Astros manager Bo Porter agreed that there should be multiple Astros in the All-Star Game for the first time since Hunter Pence and Miguel Tejada in 2009, but he's not going to campaign unless AL manager John Farrell of the Red Sox asks his advice.

"I think he has enough on his plate already trying to fill the All-Star team if you look around the league and see how many guys are enjoying great seasons," Porter said.