HOUSTON -- Astros outfielder Jason Bourgeois has played alongside a core of aging and young veterans since being claimed off waivers by Houston from the Brewers on Oct. 26, 2009.
Michael Bourn, Carlos Lee, Hunter Pence and backup Jason Michaels were the mainstays in manager Brad Mills' outfield until the organization decided it was time to shake things up last July.
Bourn and Pence were traded prior to the July 31 non-waiver deadline, while Lee shifted from left field to first base in order to compensate for Brett Wallace's struggles and to open the door for J.D. Martinez.
Michaels signed a minor league deal with the Nationals this offseason, thus leaving Bourgeois as the veteran presence among the Astros' core of outfielders heading into the 2012 campaign.
Although Bourgeois has a tremendous amount of respect for the experienced outfielders over his two seasons in Houston, he's now ready to be the veteran leader for Martinez, Jordan Schafer, Brian Bogusevic, J.B. Shuck and the assortment of minor league talent.
"We have to learn collectively out there together," Bourgeois said. "Unless you have several years of experience at the big league level, you still have a lot to learn. This is a really good group of young outfielders. I am expecting the competition to be solid. I want to be a positive voice and a good leader for the group.
"We're going to learn and work hard together."
Bourgeois, 29, hit .294 with one homer, 16 RBI, eight doubles and a career-high 31 stolen bases in 93 games for Houston last season.
He ranked ninth in the NL in stolen bases.
Despite having two stints on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained left oblique and a strained right quadriceps muscle, Bourgeois showed tremendous promise by hitting .344 (11-for-32) in April and .500 (11-for-22) during limited action in May.
He hit .360 (9-for-25) in July and concluded the 2011 regular season by hitting a stellar .341 (14-for-41) during the month of September.
"I'm working real hard and trying to find my niche," Bourgeois said. "It is my goal to keep finding my approach and staying consistent. If I do that, great things will happen. Sometimes, you need a little luck every now and again. I was fortunate enough to get those hops and grounders to sneak through the holes.
"I took advantage of that by getting on and stealing bases. I just want to keep going with that same approach throughout next season."
When the Astros take the field for 2012, the front office will be offering a different look with owner Jim Crane, president and CEO George Postolos and new GM Jeff Luhnow at the helm.
With the Astros on the verge of playing their final season in the National League under new ownership and front-office personnel, Bourgeois stated it won't be a distraction to the ballplayers.
"The main thing is to prepare and execute on the field," he said. "We're going to go out there and show the new owner that we are going to play hard. We're going to prepare and try to win."
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