Who Will Better Perform in 09? Hunter Pence vs Nate McLouth

(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Hunter Pence of the Houston Astros and Nate McLouth of the Pittsburgh Pirates are both up and comers in the NL Central.  Each player, though young, is an important piece for their respective teams. 

It is easy to draw comparisons between the two youngsters but which one will develop more and greater help their team in 2009?

Last year was the first full year in the majors for both players so I am going to use their 2008 stats as well as their 2009 Spring Training numbers to this point when making a comparison.

Total at bats:

Nate McLouth 597

Hunter Pence 595

Spot most often slotted in batting order:

Nate McLouth first

Hunter Pence sixth

One of my Astros vs Pirates memories of last season was watching Houston play the Bucs and McLouth hit a double to pass Lance Berkman for the doubles lead at the point.  I think it was his 33rd double or so. 

That is a pretty big deal considering Lance Berkman, one of the best hitters in the big leagues, nearly doubled his doubles output last season, hitting 46 doubles, 22 more than the previous season. 

Although Berkman’s 2007 extra base hit numbers were down, that is still pretty good company for Nate.

By the way, Nate finished withas many doubles as Lance. Hunter Pence finished the season with 12 less doubles than McLouth, 34.

Another area where McLouth finished higher than pence is on base percentage.  OBP is important for any player but especially important for those players hitting higher in the lineup.   

McLouth OBP .356

Pence OBP .318

McLouth also out slugged Pct.

McLouth SLG .497

Pence SLG .466

Almost half of McLouth’s hits were for extra bases.  McLouth’s second most often spot slotted in the batting order was third.  I think that was where he was batting for the Buc’s that day when they played Houston.

As far as homers go McLouth hit 26 while Pence hit 25, so I’ll call that one a wash.

McLouth stole 23 bases and was caught stealing three times while Hunter Pence stole 11 bases and was caught stealing 10 times!  Looks like McLouthwas better around the sacs as well.

As an Astros fan, and a Hunter Pence fan, I got to watch Pence go through some struggles at the plate last year.  By the end of the year it seemed as though he was more comfortable and striking out less. 

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?