35-year old righty swinging SS Miguel Tejada tied Yadier Molina for 23rd in the MVP voting in the N.L. Tejada played in 158 games for the Astros last season and he was 199 for 635 (.313 avg, .795 OPS) with 83 runs scored, 14 homers, 86 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. He has now played in 1,871 games in his 13-year major league career and he is 2,114 for 7,320 (.289 avg, .810 OPS) with 1,116 runs scored, 285 homers, 1,185 RBIs and 78 stolen bases. Tejeda will likely be leaving the Astros as a free agent and he will be hard to replace because shortstops that can hit like he does don’t grow on trees.

Carlos Lee has been outstanding for the Astros. He has played in 144 games for the Astros this season and he is 167 for 545 (.306 avg, .854 OPS) with 61 runs scored, 25 homers, 95 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. With 5 more RBIs this season Lee will have his 5th 100 RBI season of his major league career including all three years with the Astros. Carlos Lee has now played in 421 games for the Astros and he is 494 for 1,608 (.307 avg) with 215 runs scored, 85 homers, 314 RBIs and 8 stolen bases.

I’ll admit it…..I didn’t think Michael Bourn would continue to hit well all season long after he got off to a hot start. But, he proved me wrong in a very big way and that’s a good thing for the Astros. Bourn has played in 126 games this season for the Astros and he is 142 for 485 (.293 avg, .772 OPS) with 84 runs scored, 3 homers, 31 RBIs and 48 stolen bases. He’s hitting so well that people are overlooking his defense which is also a good part of his game as he has the speed to outrun the baseball. It looks as if Bourn has a very bright future with the Astros.

Lance Berkman started the season slowly but he had a good June to bring his numbers up. Berkman was 28 for 88 (.318 avg, 1.061 OPS) with 13 runs scored, 7 homers, 18 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. He has now played in 76 games this season for the Astros and he is 70 for 261 (.268 avg, .925 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 17 homers, 58 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. The Astros are glad that Berkman has it going on now as they will have to outscore the competition to win because of there pitching staff.

Hunter Pence just continues to improve for the Houston Astros. He has played in 68 games for the Astros this season and he is 82 for 249 (.329 avg, .938 OPS) with 42 runs scored, 10 homers, 29 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Pence has been one of the best hitters for the Astros and he is a good defensive outfielder. Pence would likely be the Astros’ MVP if the season ended today and here’s to hoping that he makes the All-Star team if he continues to play at this level.