ANAHEIM -- Astros second baseman José Altuve, who's a virtual lock to win his second American League batting title in three years, was named on Friday as a finalist for 2016 Player of the Year in the Players Choice Awards.
Altuve is a finalist with Mookie Betts and David Ortiz of the Red Sox. The Players Choice Award winners will be announced exclusively on MLB Network on Nov. 9. Altuve entered Friday leading the AL in batting average (.337) and hits (212) while ranking tied for second in total bases (336), third in steals (28), WAR (7.6), and doubles (42), fourth in on-base percentage (.396) and fifth in OPS (.930).
"It means a lot to me," Altuve said. "To be there with those guys makes my season. I'm really proud to be there."
Altuve also entered Friday four RBIs shy of 100 and was expected to play in two of the Astros' final three games at the most. He started on Friday.