MLB Standings: Houston Astros Lead Texas Rangers & Los Angeles Angels in AL West

By Damon Salvadore Jun 29 2015, 14:10 PM EDT

Don't look now, but the Houston Astros are in first place in the American League West.

With a 44-34 record, the Astros have the best record in the division ahead of the second place Los Angeles Angels and third place Texas Rangers. The Astros haven't made the playoffs since their World Series defeat back in 2005 against the Chicago White Sox.

One of the biggest reasons the Astros are in first place is because of their offense. The Astros rank fifth in runs scored, and they've hit the most home runs of any team in the league this season, just two ahead of the New York Yankees.

Numerous Latin American born players have contributed to the Astros success this season.

Luis Valbuena has been one of the most surprising power hitters in all of baseball this year. The 29-year-old Venezuelan infielder has 19 home runs this season, the second most in the American League behind only Dominican sluggers Albert Pujols and Nelson Cruz. Valbuena has never hit more than 16 home runs in a single season until now, and we still have more than 80 games left to play. Not only are the top three home runs hitters in the AL Latin American-born, but they also all play in the AL West.

Unfortunately, Valbuena is batting just .195 at the plate this season.

Jose Altuve, also from Venezuela, is having an opposite statistical but productive year. While Valbuena is hitting the long ball, Altuve is dominating small ball for the Astros. After leading the league in hits last season, Altuve leads the AL in stolen bases with 21 this year. Altuve has a .292 batting average this year, and let's not forget he did receive some MVP votes last year. Altuve leads the Astros in hits, doubles, stolen bases and total at bats so far.

He may just be a rookie, but Carlos Correa is playing very well. Immense pressure is following Correa as he is the only Puerto Rican born player in MLB history to have been selected No. 1 overall in the draft.

Correa has been a great compliment to Valbuena because he gets on base, which drives in home runs for this high power hitting Astros squad. Correa is batting an outstanding .314 and has an incredible team-leading .593 slugging percentage this year. It looks like the Astros made a great pick selecting Correa No. 1 overall. Still just 20 years old, Correa will be one of the best hitters for years to come.

The Astros will soon begin a new three game series against the Kansas City Royals. The Royals, winners of the AL last season, have the best record in the AL this season. This is a great opportunity for the Astros to show everyone what they're made of.