5 Greatest Houston Astros Hitters of All Time

Altuve is an icon of today's Astros, and his legacy is still growing.

While he was one of many on the Astros' title winners in 2017 and 2022, he made his presence known thanks to inimitable clutch hitting. His walk-off home run in Game 6 of the 2019 ALCS to send the Astros to the World Series is one of the franchise's most iconic moments, and the Venezuela native holds the MLB record for most go-ahead home runs in playoff history.

Altuve overcame many obstacles on his way to Astros stardom, namely being an undersized 5-foot-6, international free agent slept on by many, and he remains one of the few second basemen in history to reach 2,000 hits and 200 home runs.

While Altuve's association with the 2017 cheating scandal tarnishes his legacy and could be water on the flame of his Hall of Fame case, he's still a legend in his own right. The modern Astros dynasty would be nowhere without him.

2. Craig Biggio (1988-2007)

Biggio is one of the greatest Astros of all time and Houston's all-time hits leader with 3,060. Only Altuve poses a significant threat, currently sitting at 2,428, but he's running up on years and has a long way to go before entering Biggio's record orbit.

Biggio made an exclusive club of his own, not only picking up 3,000 hits but also 600 doubles, 400 stolen bases, and 250 home runs; he's the only such player in MLB history.

Biggio's versatility is unmatched, as he earned four consecutive Gold Gloves at second base from 1994 to 1997 and collected extensive reps at catcher and center field. In 2015, he fittingly became the first inductee into Cooperstown donning an Astros hat.

1. Jeff Bagwell (1991-2005)

Bagwell is the greatest Astros player, pitcher or hitter, and the franchise's all-time leader in WAR (79.9), home runs (449), and RBIs (1,529).

One of the "Killer Bs" along with Biggio and Berkman, Bagwell was one of the most fearsome sluggers in franchise and baseball history (though current masher Yordan Alvarez could garner comparisons at the end of his career).

In addition to being an electric bat, Bagwell utilized excellent speed to become the only first baseman in MLB history with multiple 30-30 seasons as well as 400 home runs and 200 steals over a career.

In 1991, he won Rookie of the Year, and won MVP in the strike-shortened 1994 season after hitting .368 with 39 home runs. The Astros retired his No. 5 in 2007, and Bagwell stands alone at the top of the franchise mountaintop.