Yordan Alvarez’s offense continues to drive in runs for the Houston Astros, and on Saturday, July 11, the Cuban hit his 31st home run of the season against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field for the second consecutive day, tying José Canseco’s record for most home runs before the All-Star Game.

After a tough series against the Washington Nationals, where he managed just one hit in 14 at-bats the Cuban left-hander completely turned things around against his division rivals, unleashing his full power to reach 200 career home runs. To prove it wasn’t a fluke, he sent the ball over the fence again.

For the second game of the series between the Houston Astros and the Texas Rangers, Yordan Alvarez was in the lineup as the No. 2 hitter and left fielder to face starter Kumar Rocker, a pitcher who was punished early in the game.

Yordan Alvarez opened the scoring in Texas

The Cuban player who continues to be a serious contender for the MVP award wasted no time making his presence felt at the plate this time around. After Jeremy Peña led off the first inning with a single, the Cuban stepped into the batter’s box to face Kumar Rocker.

With a 2-1 count, the left-hander crushed a 92.6 mph fastball that was right down the middle, sending the ball over the center-field wall to quickly put his team up 2-0 at Globe Life Field.

The hit had an exit velocity of 112.8 mph, a launch angle of 28 degrees, and traveled a total distance of 425 feet. It’s worth noting that this was his 31st home run of the season, which also brought his RBI total to 70.

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Alongside José Canseco

Beyond surpassing 200 home runs and putting his team ahead, this home run allowed him to tie the record for most home runs by a Cuban player in Major League Baseball history a record of 31 previously held by José Canseco, which he set during the 1999 season, according to data from the Stathead statistics website

List of Cuban players with the most home runs before the All-Star Game:

1. José Canseco (1999): 31
2. Yordan Álvarez (2026): 31
3. José Abreu (2014): 29
4. Tony Pérez (1970): 29

This record could still be broken by the Houston Astros star, since even if he doesn’t hit another home run today, he still has one game left before the All-Star break. It’s worth noting that the outfielder decided not to participate in the All-Star Game in order to rest and maintain the MVP and Triple Crown pace he’s set in 2026.

Who is Yordan Alvarez?

Yordan Alvarez is an elite Cuban slugger in Major League Baseball. After making his debut with the Houston Astros in 2019, he was unanimously named the American League Rookie of the Year for his devastating power at the plate, quickly becoming the team’s offensive cornerstone.

His imposing physique and discipline at the plate established him as one of baseball’s most feared hitters, and he played a key role in the team’s 2022 World Series victory with memorable home runs in the postseason.

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