He needs playing time and lots of it.  A pinch hitting role isn't going to give him PT.  I see him as the first call up after injury or struggles by any outfielder.

Three questions for the opening day CF dilemma:

1.  What makes the team better in 2007?  Burke with 300 ABs and Pence with 500 ABs?  Or Burke with 500 ABs and Pence with 0 (he won't be a bench player)?
2.  What makes the team better in 2008?  Burke coming into the season with 1000 MLB ABs and Pence coming in with 500 MLB ABs?  Or Burke coming in with  1200 ABs and Pence coming in with 0 ABs?
3. Over the long term what makes Burke and Pence better individually?  Burke getting 500 MLB ABs and Pence getting 500 AAA ABs?  Or Burke getting 300 MLB ABs and Pence getting 500 MLB ABs?

I think 1 and 2 are best served by Pence playing.  If you think 3 means AAA for Pence, then that may trump 1 and 2.  If you think Pence can handle the bigs and Burke will be fine at 2b in the future without playing CF everyday in 2007, you've gotta do what helps the team the most in 2007 and 2008, whatever you determine that to be.

astros or braves broadcasters?

spring training games will be televised for the astros?

He's going to have to tank defensively since his .057 BA in Spring Training is not making Garner sweat; at least in public statements.

Could it be Burke has enough MLB film on him now for people to be placing their pitches? Like with Ensberg & Lane always getting High Heat?

Pense is rocking in Spring Training and Conrad is doing well too. Maybe Burke, while a feel good choice, is NOT better than sliced bread.

to say that I believe Hunter Pence should start in CF this season.

Burke looks, to my humble eye, like his swing has some kind of a serious flaw, that he's coming in late on everything and leaving the bat on his shoulder.  Spring training timing problem? Maybe, but I've always had an inkling that his swing is a bit slow (heroic home runs excepted).

And quite simply, Pence is a ballplayer.  He's unconventional in his presentation, but he puts the bat head on the ball and runs around like a madman.  That is who I want in center field for the big club, not a Biggio II out there.

That said, I think Burke (obviously) has a position waiting for him when Bidge moves on after 3000.  I have no problem letting him sit around for a bit until that time comes, pinch-hitting or what-have-you.

If it's Pence as a bench-player instead of Palmeiro, I say send Pence back to AAA.  But I would like to see him starting in centerfield, and if he bombs, go right back to Burke without any worries.