Hunter Pence

by odo31 on Mar 6, 2007 2:33 PM EST

is now 9 for 12 in Spring Training

What does everyone think about him being the starting CF for the 'Stros this season?

He won't start in the majors, but I would hope that Houston would call him up when they realize Jason Lane or Luke Scott won't cut it as their 3rd OF.

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Not a great fielder

I think he would be poor in centerfield then again they did have Berkman out there so it's possible. If Scott or Lane get off to a terrible start and Pence is hitting excellent he will be up. He could be a darkhorse for ROY in the NL.

by Bravesin07 on Mar 6, 2007 3:02 PM EST reply actions

Response

He's one of the top 10-12 prospects in baseball. Good to see him wrecking so far, it's not a huge surprise.

I think he'd more than hold his own this year if the Astros want to go that route.

by mrkupe on Mar 6, 2007 3:29 PM EST reply actions

Biggio

While Burke hasn't exactly knocked the cover off the ball so far, and the Lane/Scott replacement in RF is one free agent season away (can you say A-Rod in Right?, jk), I think the easiest move the Astros could make is this:

Pence in CF
Burke at 2B
Lane/Scott in RF

And then let Biggio get his 3,000 hits from the bench backing up Burke at 2nd and maybe some 1B/LF/PH duties from time to time. Seeing as he only needs 70 hits for the milestone, he can get that in 300/350 AB from the bench.

Seem like a good idea? I think so. Seem a little absurd to promote a guy with limited time in CF and a crazy swing and lots of strikeouts? I understand. It is.

But I think it's a little crazy to make Chris Burke blunder around in CF when he's your 2B of the future. I think it's crazy to tell Hunter Pence to go back to the minors so the Astros can play some guys who're not as good because "he needs to get better."

If he's the best player for the position he should be playing. Didn't they just spend a bundle of cash on Carlos Lee telling him they were going to compete? Didn't they just trade their future pitching (and more) for a 'now' Jason Jennings so they could win this year? Are they going to take players out of Spring Training who are not as talented?

Ok, I have a reasonable head on my shoulders. I've seen the box scores. It's true, Pence's hot start has been against relief pitchers and guys who may never make a big league club. Today he had a real challenge though. He hit 2nd against Tom Glavine, and he singled and tripled for 2 of the 4 hits Glavine gave up in 3 innings of work. Then he walked to Jorge Sosa. These are major league pitchers and he's not intimidated.

I realize he has a lot to prove, and he does need to keep proving it (he can't let up like he did after his great start last year), but I think he should get a chance.

by phiago on Mar 6, 2007 7:15 PM EST reply actions

Biggio

Still destroys lefties (905 OPS last year) so why not have him face lefties and a couple righties a week?

Dukes is Jurastically better than Bradley. After all Dukes has been playing baseball ever since T-ball.

by pedrophile on Mar 7, 2007 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

Ha.

He's better than Carlos Lee, which I find hilarious.

And it's about time they put Conrad at second and put Biggio's ass on the bench. He's just not any good anymore. And if they don't like Conrad, Burke is also better than Biggio.

by Klostrophobic on Mar 6, 2007 7:30 PM EST reply actions

He's not better than Carlos Lee

Yet. He might be, in time, but he's not a better major league hitter right now. If that's what you meant.

If you meant he's having a better spring than Carlos Lee, well, sure. He's having a better spring than Albert Pujols, too. That doesn't mean he's a better player.

by ajohnst1 on Mar 7, 2007 7:31 PM EST up reply actions