Let's Just Hand Jose Altuve the AL MVP Right Now

It's only July 3, still over a week away from the All-Star break. Yet, here I am, discussing the thought of Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve winning this year's American League MVP award.

I mean, just take a look at what the 26-year old has done in the team's first 81 games:

370 plate appearances/318 at bats
113 hits (leads MLB)
62 runs scored
.355 batting average (leads MLB)
14 homers
49 RBIs
.428 OBP (second in MLB)
21 stolen bases (fourth in MLB)

The three-time (soon to be four-time) All-Star selection has always been a hit-machine who steals bases and puts runs across the board for Houston. But one thing that's different in 2016: Altuve is now a power-hitter as well.

His previous career-high for home runs is 15, which he hit last year, with 66 runs batted in. He's already one shy of tying that career-high and he still has half a season to go.

With exactly half of Houston's 162 games in the books, Altuve is currently on pace to shatter numerous career-highs:

226 hits
124 runs
.355 batting average
.428 OBP
28 homers
98 RBIs
42 stolen bases (not a career-high)

In 26 games during the month of June, Altuve recorded a hit in 24 games, which includes 13 multi-hit games. He was awarded the AL Player of the Month award, becoming the first Astros player to win the award since 2008.

Not only is Altuve putting up some fantastic, MVP-worthy numbers, but he also has the Astros at 43-38 and 8.5 games behind the first-place Texas Rangers in the AL Central.

Oh, and might I also add that he's currently holding my fantasy baseball team together.

Keep hitting, Jose. Keep hitting.