June 04--WASHINGTON -- Dexter Fowler won't miss the removal of Tal's Hill at Minute Maid Park after the 2015 season.
"They didn't need it there, anyway," Fowler said of the 30-degree, 27-foot-long center field incline at the Houston Astros' park that he played in front of last season.
"No one ever hit it out there," Fowler said. "That's why I said it's pointless."
The hill was named after longtime Astros executive Tal Smith, and the redesign project will cost about $15 million.
The removal of the hill will give way to field level club seats and an observation tower. The deepest part of center field will be shortened from 436 feet to 409 feet.
Fowler predicted that the shortening of the fences would result in more home runs.
"The park will play more true, but now they will have small gaps," Fowler said.
