When Rule 5 selections Lou Palmisano and Gilbert de La Vara didn't pan out in this season's spring training, it appeared that Wesley Wright would remain alone as an Astros quality Rule 5 pick-up. However, that opinion had to be amended by the end of May when outfielder Drew Locke had announced his presence at Corpus Christi's Whataburger Field. Houston selected Locke in the minor league phase of the 2008 Rule 5 draft after he spent the 2008 season with the Dodgers High A affiliate, Inland Empire.

Getting a chance to play every day in Texas seemed to agree with Locke. In April and May, he led the Texas League in...everything. He batted .376 with 13 doubles, 10 home runs and 57 RBI in 46 games. He cooled off a bit once the summer hit, but he still earned MVP honors with the Hooks. His season totals included a league leading .338 batting average and 109 RBI. He also had 31 doubles and 20 home runs.

Locke's season was cut short by a week with a broken hand, but his hand should be healed in plenty of time for Spring Training 2010.