41. Yuli Gurriel

Yuli Gurriel arrived in the Houston organization in 2016 following a high-profile defection that concluded a decade of dominance in the Cuban National Series. Having already established himself as a legendary figure internationally, he chose to leave the Cuban national team while in the Dominican Republic and eventually signed a five-year deal with the Astros at the age of 32.

Gurriel first demonstrated his ability to impact a championship roster during his 2017 rookie campaign. That summer, he recorded 18 home runs and a .299 average, finishing fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year voting and dominating the hitting safely throughout the 2017 playoffs, helping secure the franchise's first World Series title.

During the 2017 World Series, Gurriel's campaign was marked by a significant controversy following a home run off Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish in Game 3. Gurriel was captured on camera making a racially insensitive gesture in the dugout, an action that drew immediate backlash and a five-game suspension to be served at the start of the 2018 season. He issued a public apology and met with Darvish to express his regret, a moment that became a localized point of growth and reflection amidst the team's pursuit of a title.

Despite the tension surrounding the incident, he remained a focal point of the offense throughout the playoffs, helping secure the franchise's first World Series trophy. While the event remained a part of his narrative, his offensive reliability on the field continued as he recorded three consecutive seasons batting over .290.

At age 37, he evolved into the oldest player since Ted Williams to win an American League Batting Title, finishing the year with a .319 average. He showed the organization he was a foundational star by pairing that hitting crown with his first career Gold Glove Award at first base, proving he could remain an elite defender well into his late thirties. Though his regular-season production dipped significantly in 2022, he demonstrated a specialized ability to deliver in October, batting .347 during the postseason to help Houston capture their second World Series championship.

Following the 2022 Season, the Astros chose not to re-sign Gurriel. As an Astro, Gurriel compiled 866 hits, a .319 batting title (2021), and two World Series championships.