In 2007, scouts in Maracay, Venezuela sent a 16-year-old home from a tryout, refusing to believe his age and calling him too short to survive. Jose Altuve returned the next day with his birth certificate, impressed executive Al Pedrique, and signed for a mere $15,000 bonus. His compact swing and short levers, once seen as weaknesses, turned out to be the hidden engine of elite bat speed.

Altuve tore through the minors, bypassed Triple-A, and became the only player to represent both the AL and NL in the All-Star Game for the same franchise. He evolved from a contact-and-speed threat into a power hitter without sacrificing average, then answered the fallout of the 2017 sign-stealing scandal with more historic milestones.

• Set a franchise record with 225 hits in 2014 and recorded four straight 200-hit seasons
• Won the 2017 AL  ...