Astros' Altuve, Hinch named MLB season award finalists for AL MVP, manager of year

HOUSTON – Fresh off of their World Series championship, the Astros are now in the mix for postseason awards that are set to be announced next week.

Astros skipper A.J. Hinch, who just completed his third season at the helm, has been named a finalist for the American League Manager of the Year.

"I'm honored to be part of this finalist group. Continues to be quite a special year for all of us,” Hinch told KPRC2 Sports Director Randy McIlvoy.

Hinch was named along with Cleveland’s Terry Francona and Minnesota’s Paul Molitor.

Hinch has led the Astros to the playoffs in two of his first three seasons, capped last week by earning a World Series title in a seven-game series win over the Dodgers.

Meanwhile, second baseman Jose Altuve is a finalist for the American League Most Valuable Player Award.

Altuve led the Astros to the championship after hitting .346 and earning his third AL batting title. Altuve also hit 24 homers, and had 81 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.

The winners will be announced next week.

Manager of the Year will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 14, while the MVP winner will be announced on Thursday, Nov. 16.