Hunter Pence: An Amazing Rookie Story Goes Down For A Bit

by PCrary

Hunter Pence, OF Houston Astros, was a shoe-in to win the NL Rookie of the Year award.

On July 24, Pence had an MRI that showed a small chip in his right wrist. Pence was one of the only bright spots on a struggling Houston Astro team. The Astros were 42-56 when Pence slid into second base and hurt his wrist. Pence is expected to be out 4-6 weeks. The time he misses will really hurt his chances of winning NL rookie of the year.

Pence, 24, was one of the up and coming stars in the League, and gave everything he had every time he stepped on the field. Whether it be diving to make a catch or stealing bases, Pence was doing it all. Pence had a .330 average, which ranked eighth among NL hitters. Pence had an an On-Base-Percentage of .355, and a Slugging Percentage of .564, all very good numbers for veterans, let only a rookie.

Pence never played in a game before the 2007 season started. Despite his inexperience, Pence showed the world that he belonged in the Majors.

Amidst all the talk of milestones, steroids, and insane contracts, Pence has been a breath of fresh air for fans to watch.

Hopefully, Pence can continue where he left off when he comes back from his injury in August and continue to play the game like it is supposed to be played, 100%. day in and day out.

CoreyisarealboyMajor Leaguer

444 days ago

Score -1

Ryan Braun's the fastest player in the majors to hit 15 home runs since Albert Pujols and you're calling Pence the ROY shoe-in? You're joking right?

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PCrarySoccer Kid

444 days ago

Score 1

Braun is a great player no doubt about it , hoowwever Pence played for a wworse t eam then Braun and didn't have people like Prince Fielder, JJ Hardy, and cory H art. If Pence had any help outside of Carlos Lee , then Pence would b havbe b even better stats, basically what im trying to say is Pence plays for a much worse team yet still produces, and is a lot more valuble to his team than Braun is to the Brewers

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KelsdadAll-Star

444 days ago

Score 1

I agree. Even if Pence didn't get hurt, it would have been real tough for him to edge Braun for the award. After all, Braun is playing a better than expected third base and is hitting in the middle of the lineup for a team leading its division.

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MegECass110AAA-er

444 days ago

Score 1

Braun has come on of late, Pence has been doing it over a longer period of time, and he probably could have made the All-Star team.

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CoreyisarealboyMajor Leaguer

444 days ago

Score 2

But Braun has only been here "of late." He was called up on May 25, not even two months ago. He has 106 fewer at bats but more home runs, more runs scored, more walks, a better batting average, a better on-base percentage, a better slugging percentage. He's only two RBIs behind Pence and they have the same amount of stolen bases. Looking at those stats, tell me again that Pence deserves it more right now.

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KelsdadAll-Star

444 days ago

Score 1

I saw Braun in spring training, and in my opinion he was the best player on the field that day. Granted, one spring training game isn't alot, but I was really impressed with the kid.

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Yakob878MVP

444 days ago

Score 1

not a shoe in with braun on the brewers it will be close

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Niteowl049AAA-er

444 days ago

Score 0

Was favoring Pence until his injury. Unless Braun falters he should be a lock. He has a higher sluggine percentage than A-Rod so shows he is the real deal.

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Silencer76AAA-er

443 days ago

Score 0

The joy of ANY rookie is that they can get by the first time through the league because there are no scouting reports on them, so it is based solely on reliance of what might have been seen by guys who played against them in the minors or what you see on an at bat by at bat basis. Whether either of them can keep the trend up, Braun now, or Pence, if/when he comes back to full strength this season, is something that will have to be taken under consideration.

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Baltimoresports247All-American

443 days ago

Score 0

Not a shoe-in...see Ryan Braun

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ASwaffAll-American

443 days ago

Score 0

I wouldn't call Pence a shoe-in, but this is the second year in a row this has happened to a Texas guy. Last year, Ian Kinsler of the Rangers was building a strong case for rookie of the year when he suffered an injury. It took him a long time to recover, and he didn't play like he did pre-injury. Kinsler wasn't a shoe-in when he went down last year, but like Pence, he was making a very strong case. This is also disappointing from a money standpoint, because with Berkman and Oswalt sucking and Biggio already breaking 3,000, Pence was the only exciting piece left on a VERY boring team to watch.

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MetsJetsDevilsDraft Pick

443 days ago

Score 0

I think Braun is a shoe-in for ROY at this point. If Josh Hamilton and Pence had both stayed healthy, I still would have chosen Hamilton.

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Anonymous Fanatic #1

440 days ago

Score 0

Sadly, Pence's injury is going to give his fan club an excuse for why Braun took ROY honors. Interestingly, however, it ought to even out the total number of games/at-bats between them--for a more even comparison (statistically at least). As I'm listening to the Brewer's/Card's game right now, Braun has 18 HRs and 49 RBI--to Pence's 12/45. All while batting high .340s to Pence's .330. In my mind, this is Braun's "title" to lose.

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