Houston Astros: Hunter Pence and Top 15 Outfielders in Franchise History

Every franchise has a structured list of all-time great players.

Whether it's a speedy shortstop, durable first baseman or a dominating pitcher, players have graced the field in all fashions.

MLB teams have witnessed these type of athletes over a significant period of time, recording some of the best seasons in franchise history.

With that said, based on production, longevity and all-around league dominance, here are the top 15 Houston Astros outfielders of all-time.

By the way, this list is compiled of players who spent the majority of their careers in the outfield, with a few exceptions.

My apologies for the old pictures.

15. Gerald Young

Believe it or not, there really weren't too many options at No. 15 besides Gerald Young.

The pool was shallow.

Regardless, Young had a three-year stretch in which he dominated the base paths, stealing 125 bases in 366 games.

Now, while he didn't win any batting titles or even play well enough to make an All-Star team, the speedster did produce on a yearly basis.

Young rarely struck out. And when he did, he matched it with a walk which is something that's very hard to find nowadays.

Beyond his hitting, Young also flashed an elite glove.

In 1989, he led the NL in putouts and assists as well as showcasing some of the best range in the majors.

For his speed and defense alone, Young deserves to be on this list.

14. Luiz Gonzalez

I had to put Luis Gonzalez on this list.

He'd be higher if his eventual dominance in Arizona had been in Houston, but the fact remains he was one of the best hitters in the league when at his prime.

However, for the Astros, Gonzalez wasn't close to his All-Star self, but was still good.

He compiled 52 home runs, 53 stolen bases and 23 triples over 4.5 years in Houston.

While he didn't smash 50 home runs in a season, Gonzalez's smaller posture did enable him to get on base and score runs.

He hit for doubles, triples, home runs, stole bases, didn't strike out too much and ended up finding his feet as an Astro before he went on to bigger and better things.

13. Steve Finley

Ironically, Steve Finley is in the same boat as Luis Gonzalez.

He played his first few seasons in Houston before ending up an All-Star somewhere else.

Finley's reign in the outfield in the early 90's showcased his worth around baseball.

He led the league in triples in 1993, stole 110 bases in four seasons and rarely struck out as a young hitter.

The eventual five-time All Star also gave the Astros a solid glove.

Finley's short stint in Houston has relatively been forgotten, despite his numbers as a top 30 NL outfielder at that time.

12. Kevin Bass

Not a lot of people remember Kevin Bass.

In is first stint as a Houston Astros outfielder Bass played eight seasons and logged four top-notch years.

From 1985-1988, he hit 69 home runs, stole 93 bases and made his only All-Star team in '86 and finishing seventh for NL MVP.

Bass would of been much higher on this list if he had played at that level for a longer time, but unfortunately that wasn't the case.

Despite his short-term dominance, the Astros outfielder is still one of the best at his position in franchise history.

11. Richard Hidalgo

At one point, Richard Hidalgo looked like one of the most feared hitters in the National League.

He hit 44 home runs and 122 RBI in 2000, leading the Astros in nearly every statistical category.

Hidalgo's reign in Houston, lasting seven and half seasons, was no disappointment.

He compiled 125 home runs, 171 doubles and 424 RBI from 1999-2004.

Based on power and run production alone, Hidalgo comes in at No. 11.

10. Carlos Lee

Some might have Carlos Lee higher on this list, but the fact remains he has only been a relevant Houston Astros outfielder for three years.

Now, while those three years were some of the most productive seasons around baseball, it's still only been three years.

From 2007-09, Lee hit .306 with nearly 29 home runs and 107 RBI per season, becoming one of the most consistent hitters around baseball.

However, despite his plate dominance, Lee's subpar defense and recent production collapse has bumped him down this list.

Still, "El Caballo" has earned his praise.

9. Michael Bourn

Now, before I get ridiculed for putting Michael Bourn ahead of Carlos Lee, hear me out.

If we're basing this strictly on the good years each player produced in a Houston Astros uniform, there's an argument for Bourn at No. 9.

From 2008-10, Bourn swiped 154 bases, leading the league on different occasions.

Add on two Gold Gloves and an All-Star game, and you have yourself one heck of a player.

Bourn's mixture of speed and defense may be the best amongst MLB players right now, so to consider him anything less than an Astros all-time outfield presence would be an injustice to his talent.

8. Terry Puhl

To be honest with you, I had no idea who Terry Puhl was before today.

And if I'm spilling the darkest of secrets, I might as well tell you that he wasn't even that dominant.

With that said, it's hard to ignore his longevity as an Astros outfielder from 1977-1990.

He recorded eight seasons with at least 100 games played and even made an All-Star team back in '78.

Puhl was in no way a top-level player, but his all-around production and lengthy career in Houston makes him a worthy addition to this list.

7. Moises Alou

Moises Alou was really good during a three-season stint with the Houston Astros.

And when I say really good, I mean really good.

From 1998-2001, Alou hit 95 home runs and 346 RBI, including a .355 average in '00.

During that span, he made two All-Star teams, finished third in NL MVP voting in '98 and was easily a top 15 hitter in the league.

His presence in the Astros lineup helped Houston reach the playoffs in two of his three seasons.

It's unfortunate the 'Stros couldn't hold onto Alou for just a little longer.

He may of made the top five.

6. Enos Cabell

I realize Enos Cabell didn't play much outfield during his stint in Houston, but his 58 games started in 1975 is good enough for me.

Regardless, Cabell was a basepath master for the Houston Astros in the mid-to-late 70's.

He stole 30 or more bases in four consecutive seasons, adding 31 home runs and 27 triples during that span.

In 1978, Cabell led the league in at-bats with 660, evident by his 195 hits and 92 runs.

He wasn't too good on the defensive side of things, but Cabell's presence on the base paths was more than sufficient in making him an all-time outfield great.

Call him the Michael Bourn of the 70's.

5. Hunter Pence

I'm putting the recently traded Hunter Pence at No. 5 and for a good reason.

The kid was dominant in every season he ever played as an Houston Astros outfielder.

Over his four full seasons in Houston, dating back to his 2007 rookie campaign, Pence compiled 25 home runs three separate times.

He recorded double-digit steals four times, hit at least 25 doubles each season and batted .282 or better on three different occasions.

Pence has been, since his arrival, the Astros' best offensive player.

If you're counting this year, Pence made two All-Star teams in five years with Houston, as well as finishing third in ROY voting in '07.

With that said, I don't see why he doesn't deserve a top five spot.

4. Jose Cruz

Jose Cruz was pretty darn good.

From 1975-1987, Cruz was the Houston Astros most consistent offensive threat.

He hit 10 home runs with at least 80 RBI and 20 stolen bases on five different occasions.

He made two All-Star teams, won Silver Slugger twice and batted .300 or better six times.

Cruz was the epitome of a sure thing,

He hit for power, stole bases with the best of them, had great extra-base abilities and rarely struck out.

With all of these accomplishments, it's difficult to put Cruz at No. 4, but from this point on it's only going to get harder.

3. Jim Wynn

Well this isn't a surprise.

While a lot of people might peg Jim Wynn the greatest outfielder in franchise history, I'm going to slate him third.

Wynn played 11 seasons in Houston, making one All-Star appearance and leading the league in walks in 1969.

The Astros outfielder compiled 222 home runs while with Houston, adding 176 stolen bases.

He walked a lot, hit for power, stole bases while rarely getting caught and led the league in putouts in 1965 and 1967.

Wynn was an all-around talent.

Based on his longevity, power-speed combo and ability to make things happen in the field, he's an easy bet for top three honors.

2. Cesar Cedeno

Cesar Cedeno could be No. 1.

Heck, he should be No. 1, but I'm putting him here for a reason.

Hence, the title of this article.

But let's move on because Cedeno is still one of the most legendary Houston Astros of all time.

His five Gold Gloves, four All-Star appearances and great all-around play easily make him one of the most productive players in franchise history.

From 1970-1981, Cedeno stole 473 bases, hit 154 home runs and maintained an average around .280.

One of the most important stats to remember here is that Cedeno stole 50 or more bases in six straight seasons, something that is rarely done in baseball.

His longevity on the base paths was unmatchable.

If Cedeno were playing today, I'd take him over Carl Crawford for sure.

1. Lance Berkman

Now, before I get heckled, let's get one thing out of the way.

Lance Berkman did play first base, yes.

However, he's played outfield for the majority of his career and that's where I'm leaving him.

With that said, his time in the outfield was substantially fulfilled.

During his 11.5 years with Houston, Berkman was a five-time All-Star, ranked in the top five of MVP voting three different times and led the league in doubles two times.

His power numbers over the last decade are seemingly untouchable.

He hit 40-plus home runs twice, 30-plus home runs five times and recorded at least 100 RBI in six different seasons.

Berkman was the face of the franchise, led them to a World Series appearance in 2005 and hit six home runs during that same postseason.

The fact remains that Berkman has been one of the best hitters in all of baseball over the past 10 years, so to say he doesn't rank among the best outfielders on his own team seems moronic.

Let it rain, "Big Puma."