Hunter Pence of the Houston Astros Hit 17 Homers as a Rookie in 2007
Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun won National League Rookie of the Year in 2007. Many thought Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki deserved it. But both might have been also-rans if it wasn’t for a sprained wrist by Houston center fielder Hunter Pence.
That injury cost Pence a month of his rookie season. But his final numbers didn’t hurt at all: Astros rookie records for extra-base hits (56), doubles (30), slugging percentage (.539) and average (.322). He’s moving to right field – a more natural position for him - and at age 24, he could be the next breakout star in the NL.
“He’s just one of those guys who you’ll be talking about that’s in the top three or four players in the league — for a long time to come,” teammate Lance Berkman told the Houston Chronicle.
Pence is having an outstanding spring as well, leading a rebuilding Houston team with 23 hits and 13 RBI.
“He’s a special player. He’s a throw-back player,” new Astros manager Cecil Cooper told the Chronicle. “He’s an old-school player. He plays hard all the time. He’s a rare breed.”
