Despite being perhaps the first player in MLB history to miss significant time due to anal fissures and widespread dismissal as a terrible offseason signing by Astros’ GM Ed Wade–one major MLB site decried it the “worst signing of the offseason” and questioned the sanity of the Astros’ brass–Matsui Kazuo is again proving to be an underappreciated sparkplug and a major catalyst for Houston’s early ascent up the standings since his return from injury.

Matsui, a major reason for the Rockies improbable trip to the 2007 Series, has come back from injury with guns blazing and Wade’s $15 million signing suddenly appears savvy, so long as Matsui remains healthy. The Astros were 6-10 without Matsui but are now 20-11 since his return. In addition to his above average range at second enhancing the ’stros defense, in the last month he’s gotten on base at a .382 clip and stolen 10 bases.

It seems that every year Matsui is overlooked as an aging last resort option in the middle infield, but having seen him play in Japan while he was with Seibu, it was easy to see that he was a gritty, determined, smart player with outstanding physical tools and a plus makeup. Once again, without the fanfare of other overhyped options, he’s quietly leading an overachieving club to a winning record. Well, Berkman’s insane season isn’t hurting things either. But still.