A native Texan playing in his home state, Pence - who finished third in voting for National League Rookie of the Year - called playing for the Astros a dream come true.
But Pence admitted Wednesday before the Astros winter caravan’s stop at the Temple Lions Club luncheon that his second major league season could be a little a rougher.
In the clubhouse, at least.
“The only difference now is they all pick on me now,” said Pence, who batted .322 with 17 home runs and 69 runs batted in last year in only 108 games. “They all know me a little better so they have stuff to give me jabs.”
Though he still feels like a rookie, Pence certainly is part of the Astros’ long-term plans.
He’s been projected to bat third in a lineup that will include shortstop Miguel Tejada, acquired in an offseason trade with the Baltimore Orioles, first baseman Lance Berkman and left fielder Carlos Lee.
The addition of Tejada at shortstop and second baseman Kaz Matsui are just two of many high-profile changes the Astros made after a disappointing fourth-place finish in the NL Central.
Also, Cecil Cooper and Ed Wade are entering their first full season as the Astros’ manager and general manager, respectively.
“We’ve got a real exciting team, a lot of changes in the bullpen, we added some defense,” said Pence, who will turn 25 in April. “Everyone will tell you as soon as we saw each other, we were smiling and can’t wait to get going.”
Another offseason trade sent closer Brad Lidge to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for several players, most notably speedy center fielder Michael Bourn.
After playing center for most of his rookie season, Pence will shift to right to make room for Bourn. The move to right shouldn’t be tough for Pence. He primarily played in right in Double-A Corpus Christi as he led the Hooks to the 2006 Texas League championship.
“The Astros prepared me coming through the minor league system. I played every position, so it’s not going to be that tough of an adjustment,” Pence said. “I’ve just got to get out there and wherever they want me to be ready to play.”
Pence, the Astros’ everyday center fielder for most of last season, was a leading NL Rookie of the Year candidate before a wrist injury sidelined him for a month midway through the year.
Before the injury in July, Pence batted .330, hit 12 homers and knocked in 45 runs in 73 games. In May, Pence’s first full month in the majors after he was promoted from Triple-A Round Rock, he was named the NL Rookie of the Month.
The injury to Pence’s right wrist eventually derailed his Rookie of the Year campaign, but the award wasn’t something Pence gave much thought to. That hasn’t stopped fans from giving Pence their own awards.
“People come up to me and say, ‘You were still my Rookie of the Year,’” Pence said. “I really appreciate all the support people have for me. Everyone’s had my back."
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
