Hunter Pence

Hunter Pence currently plays right field for the Houston Astros. He made his major league debut on April 28, 2007, and finished third in NL votes for Rookie of the Year behind Ryan Braun and Troy Tulowski.

On July 14, 2009, Pence attended his first All-Star game after being voted to the team by his fellow major league baseball players.

Fast Facts:

Full name: Hunter Andrew Pence
Born: April 13, 1983
Birthplace: Fort Worth, Texas
Made MLB debut with the Houston Astros
Made MLB debut against the Milwaukee Brewers
2007: Hit first grand slam against the St. Louis Cardinals

Career Background

Originally drafted on June 4, 2002 by the Milwaukee Brewers, but declined to sign and attended the University of Texas at Arlington.

He was drafted again in 2004, this time signing with the Houston Astros on July 14, 2004. He was placed with the Astros minor league affiliates for his first few years for conditioning. In 2005, Pence was named the Houston Astros Minor League Player of the Year, hitting 31 homeruns and 83 runs in 121 games. In 2006 Pence moved up to the Astros AA affiliate, the Corpus Christi Hooks and was selected to the Baseball America Minor League All-Star Game. The following season, he was called up to the majors.

Pence made his MLB debut on April 28, 2007, finishing the season with the Astros. He hit 57 runs and 17 homeruns in 108 games with the Astros and finished third in voting for the Rookie of the Year Award. He is expected to join the Astros full roster in 2008 as their starting right fielder.