4-time All-Star and 2-time World Champion Hunter Pence was forced to miss the summer classic last season. The right fielder went down with a groin injury that saw his name scratched from the American League roster. Nonetheless, his 2019 season, his first in a Texas Ranger uniform, was impressively unexpected.
While the lingering injury forced him to only play 83 games in total, the now 36-year-old hit .297/.358/.552 with a 128 wRC+ and 1.8 fWAR. Though having a career-high of only 27 home runs, Pence discovered more power last year, socking 18 bombs in 316 plate appearances.
Pence, now fully recovered, is returning to the city he called home for seven years. The San Francisco Giants and the veteran outfielder have agreed to terms on a deal. The exact financials are momentarily unknown.
A fan favorite for years, Pence will fill in likely as a platoon to another one of the many outfielders on the Giants roster, though he could compete for a starting job in spring. His ability to compete for a starting spot will depend on recent rumors that the team is interested in free agent Yasiel Puig.
Pence hit .268/.324/.432 with a 109 OPS+ and 93 home runs in his 7-year stint in orange and black. That run included two top-15 MVP finishes and an all-star appearance.
