LAKEWOOD, N.J.--The 2004 draft is shaping up as a bountiful one for the Astros, and outfielder Hunter Pence is a big reason why. In his first full season, Pence was among the South Atlantic League leaders in just about every significant offensive category at low Class A Lexington, even though he missed 21 games with a strained quadriceps. His 24 home runs and .649 slugging percentage both led the league, and his .333 average, .507 on-base percentage and 59 RBIs all were among the top 10. The Astros took the 6-foot-4, 210-pounder, in the second round last year out of Texas-Arlington. After signing for $575,000 last June, he reported to short- season Tri-City and hit .296/.369./.518 with eight home runs and 37 RBIs in 199 at-bats. He has been even better this season, one of several reasons the Astros are so optimistic about their 2004 draft class. Four other players from last year's draft--second baseman Jonny Ash (11th round), lefthander Troy Patton (ninth round), lefthander Jeff Wigdahl (23rd round) and shortstop Ben Zobrist (sixth round)--have already moved up from Lexington to high Class A Salem, and Pence likely won't be too far behind. We talked with Pence about his transition to professional baseball, finding comfort in choking up, his recent injury and his progression this season: On getting accustomed to pro ball: "It was kind of rough at the start. My first few games I didn’t even get a hit. I was 0-for-13, but I’ve been playing in the minors for a year and a half now almost and I've just kind of gotten used to it. A lot of things have changed. I have learned a lot. It’s been a pretty fun ride." On choking up on the bat more than most players his size: "It’s just a comfort thing really. I feel like I have more control of the bat when I choke up. I have done it my whole life. When I was younger, I was always the smallest guy and all of that. So from being younger and always choking up as a kid, I never changed it as I grew up." On his strained quadriceps muscle: "It’s getting better. It’s still there, but it’s pretty strong right now. If I have to I can run pretty good once I get going. The only thing that it has really affected is getting started. I can’t really get a good jump, but other than that it is pretty healthy right now. My swing is not totally back to where it was. My timing is a little off. I’m always changing my swing every day with whatever feels good, even when I was going good." On his power surge: "Well, in college I had a pulled quadriceps in my other leg. I didn’t really think I was fully healthy last year and didn’t think I played as well I should have. I think a lot it is that I got healthy and I got stronger, not much. After wearing down a whole season for college, and getting hurt, I got to build back up my legs. I think that has a lot to do with it. We also play in a pretty small park and that helps (laughs). Basically, being healthy is what I thought helped me out a bunch. Hopefully, I can recover from this and get back to where I was." On his strength and weakness: "I’d say my strength is my hitting. My weakness has always been my arm and defense. I am trying to get better jumps on balls and working on things like that." On his future: "I’m sure they have their plan for me. I don’t know what they want to do with me. I just play wherever they put me, that’s all I can control . Unfortunately I got hurt, but I can possibly move up pretty soon once I get back to 100 percent. We will see. I love it here in Lexington and I am happy wherever they put me." --

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