Former Tri-City ValleyCat Hunter Pence went from the worst team in Major League Baseball to a team that's in 1st place in the NL East.

On Friday night, the Houston Astros traded Pence to the Philadelphia Phillies for a package of highly rated prospects.

Philadelphia was in search for a power bat in their lineup and needed an outfielder with some pop. They certainly got that in the former ValleyCat.

In exchange for Pence, Houston got two of Philadelphia's top prospects in first baseman Jonathan Singleton and right-hander Jarred Cosart.  Rebuilding Houston also got 25-year-old righty Josh Zeid - who's pitching in AA.  The fourth player heading to Houston will be named later.

But the Phillies managed to hold onto talented outfielder Domonic Brown.

Pence is a two-time National League All-Star. This season, he is currently hitting .309 with an on-base percentage of .356. He has 11 home runs and 62 RBI. Pence is a career .290 hitter with 103 home runs in his young career.  He played with the ValleyCats in 2004.

More From 104.5 THE TEAM