Houston Astros' Brett Wallace set to return to the Majors - MLB News
Houston Astros are bringing back their first baseman Brett Wallace after he performed well in his stint with Oklahoma City Red Hawks, the Triple-A affiliates of the Houston Astros. Brett is all set to make a return to the ball club as a designated hitter and will also play first base.
It was the dip in form that saw the 26-year-old being sent back to the Minors. He posted a 0.71 batting average in 28 at-bats in eight games. At one point in time, he was 1-for-24 with 17 strikeouts.
Bo Porter, manager for the Houston Astros, is pleased with the return of Wallace. The manager said that Brett did everything that was asked of him in the Minors and has earned his way back into the big leagues.
"It's good to get Brett back," Porter said. "He went to Triple-A and did everything we asked him to do. He swung the bat well down there, played first and third. He was on the Opening Day roster and was one of our starters and had a setback, but at the same time, he's earned the right to have this opportunity."
Brett himself is a relieved person. He said that he told the manager that he was willing to do anything to get back to the Astros and the call up has left him very excited.
"That was awesome," Wallace said. "Bo said there would opportunities and I told him I was ready to do whatever it took. When that first lineup went up and I looked at it, I was pretty excited to be in there."
The first baseman was originally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2008 from the Arizona State University. He made his professional career the same year and broke into the Major League in 2010 representing the Houston Astros.
His form for the Red Hawks was indeed amazing as he posted a batting average of .326 in 59 games in the Minors. He hit 11 home-runs and batted in 37 runs to make a very strong case for himself to return. Brett was equally successful against the left as well as right handed pitchers which add to his usefulness.
Wallace is playing his fourth season in the Majors. He has had reasonable success in the three previous seasons though his opportunities have been limited. 2011 was most certainly his best year where he played for the Astros in a total of games and posted a .259 batting average with five home-runs and 29 RBI's.
It is a great chance for the first baseman to step up to the plate and grab his opportunity. Should he be able to do that, it will be a welcome change for the Houston Astros.
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