Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could be the next big thing to come from the farm system that just saw Jackson Chourio star in the big leagues as a 20-year-old.
But the evaluators who visited Milwaukee’s complex in the Dominican Republic last summer say don’t sleep on 18-year-old Luis Peña, who quietly sits at No. 10 on the Brewers’ Top 30. Peña signed in the same January 2024 international class as Made, also plays shortstop and might be just as talented -- perhaps more talented, said two Brewers evaluators. And he hasn’t generated a fraction of the hype.
Luis Pena hit the only HR of the DSL All-Star Game this weekend 💣🇩🇴
— Brewers Player Development (@BrewersPD) July 22, 2024
The 104-mph EV is his hardest hit of the year
Pena ranks top 5 in the DSL in OBP (.496), and leads the league in SBs (33)#ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/Ii7R0tgTIk
For Brewers senior special assistant Carlos Villanueva, that’s as it should be.
”I do believe that the right guy is getting the attention just because he can handle it better,” said Villanueva, the former Brewers right-hander who has worked in player development since 2018. “Made is incredibly mature for his age. His dad played some ball [in the U.S. Minor Leagues], so he’s been conditioned a little bit more about what pro ball could look like. Peña is learning at his own pace.
“Having Peña feel a little bit of that competitive juice is going to mean that they push each other. That’s why I think we’re going to do our best to keep them together so they can feed off each other. Peña probably needs that, like, ‘Hey, I want to show you guys.’”
The Brewers have been scouting Peña since he was 14 and learned that about his personality early on, said director of Latin American evaluation Luis Pérez. Villanueva, meanwhile, remembers other instances of prospects playing together and pushing each other through the Minor Leagues, from Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy and Corey Hart, to the pitching trio of Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff and Freddy Peralta.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Those friendly rivalries fueled success. Now, it’s Made and Peña. If all goes right, they will begin the season at Class A Carolina with a chance to move fast, just like Chourio did.
“Since we were kids, we’ve been together,” said Peña, with Arizona Rookie League manager Rafael Neda translating from Spanish. “He’s been a good friend, a good pal, and we’re pushing each other. We’re on the same boat. We’re preparing, pushing each other to make it.”
Who does he think will make it first?
“For me, it’s both,” Peña said, choosing diplomacy and a smile.
Villanueva has been in the dugout for Cactus League games and resists the urge to answer when a coach asks about one of the many top Latin American prospects who have helped cover the late innings. Made, Peña, Yophery Rodriguez (Brewers No. 7), Luis Lara (No. 21), Jadher Areinamo (No. 24), Juan Baez (No. 27) and Eduardo Garcia (unranked) all have taken at-bats in Major League games during their buildup to the Spring Breakout.
Villanueva would rather his colleagues discover the players’ skills for themselves.
“Even Murph the other day,” said Villanueva, referring to Brewers manager Pat Murphy, “he’s seen both [Made and Peña] play shortstop and he’s like, ‘That Peña kid, he seems like a shortstop.’ Then I think he hit into a double play and he just flew down the line and everybody is looking at their watches going, ‘Did anybody get that time?’
“It makes me very excited when guys are asking about them, because I get the privilege of being in the D.R. and seeing them all summer. I’ve seen it.”
Peña won last season’s Dominican Summer League batting title with a .393 average while stealing 39 bases and walking as many times as he struck out (15) in 184 plate appearances. He’s a big part of the reason Villanueva believes that the January 2024 class will prove special. Three of those players -- Made, Peña and outfielder José Anderson -- were on the Spring Breakout roster. Anderson (Brewers No. 28) flashed his power by hitting a two-run home run in the fourth inning.
“It’s the most advanced class we’ve had,” Villanueva said. “They’re all toolsy, but it’s having tools plus being good at some of the other advanced things we measure. When you can control the zone at that age, it’s very different. It usually takes years to teach guys to do this.”
It sounds like the way player development officials talked about Chourio. He played in last year’s Spring Breakout, and look where he ended up.
“What that has done is it has opened the eyes of everybody else,” said Brewers roving coach Mike Guerrero. “I’ve been with the Brewers so long that I remember when everybody was talking about Robin [Yount] getting to the big leagues at 18 years of age, and Paul Molitor going to the big leagues from A-ball. That was preached to us in 1986 when we got to Spring Training: The door is open if you have talent and can change the game.
“What Chourio did has changed the way we think again. You don’t have to spend six years in the Minor Leagues to make an impact in the big leagues. If you have the talent, you can do it.”
Supervising Club Reporter Adam McCalvy has covered the Brewers for MLB.com since 2001.
Marauders Quick Start Halted in 9-4 Loss to Cardinals
Marauders Quick Start Halted in 9-4 Loss to Cardinals Bradenton, Fla. – Despite notching a season-high 13 hits, the Bradenton Marauders dropped their home opener versus the Palm Beach Cardinals 9-4 on Tuesday night at LECOM Park. Leading off the bottom of the first with no score, Konnor Griffin singled
Marauders Shutout 7-0 in Series Finale Versus Tortugas
Marauders Shutout 7-0 in Series Finale Versus Tortugas DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Bradenton Marauders dropped the rubber match of their three-game series with the Daytona Tortugas 7-0 on Sunday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Jhonny Severino notched three of the Marauders four hits on the night. Camden Janik also
Early Offense Not Enough for Marauders in 7-3 loss to Tortugas
Early Offense Not Enough for Marauders in 7-3 loss to Tortugas DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Despite an early 3-0 lead, a four-run fifth lifted the Daytona Tortugas past the Bradenton Marauders 7-3 on Saturday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. With no score in the top of the second, Axiel Plaz
All-Around Effort Surges Bradenton Past Daytona in 6-2 Opening Day Victory
All-Around Effort Surges Bradenton Past Daytona in 6-2 Opening Day Victory DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Early offense and stout pitching paced the Bradenton Marauders to a 6-2 Opening Day win over the Daytona Tortugas on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. In his professional debut, 2024 first-round pick Konnor Griffin
Bradenton Marauders Announce Preliminary 2025 Roster
Bradenton Marauders Announce Preliminary 2025 Roster BRADENTON, Fla. (April 2, 2025) – In conjunction with the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Bradenton Marauders have announced their preliminary 2025 roster. The roster features 26 players returning from last year’s club and eight from the 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates draft class. Moreover, six members of
Marauders Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
BRADENTON, Fla. – The Bradenton Marauders announced their managerial and coaching assignments for the upcoming 2025 season. Jim Horner returns to the Marauders in 2025 for his second season as manager of the club, and sixth year in the Pirates organization. Horner’s résumé is as decorated and diverse as they
Marauders Announce 2025 Season Schedule
BRADENTON, Fla. — The Bradenton Marauders, Single-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, have announced their schedule for the 2025 Florida State League season. The season will consist of 132 games, including 66 home games and 66 road games. Each Monday will be a league-wide off day. Note that all dates
Marauders Walked-Off for Second-Straight Night in Season-Finale
DAYTONA BEACH, FL —In their season-finale at Jackie Robinson Ballpark, the Daytona Tortugas walked-off the Bradenton Marauders 2-1 on Sunday night. After a weather delay of about an hour and a half, the Marauders and Tortugas took the field. In his final start of the season, Zander Mueth walked three
Marauders-Tortugas Split Doubleheader on Saturday Night
DAYTONA BEACH, FL —After the Bradenton Marauders outlasted the Daytona Tortugas 10-5 in the continuation of a suspended game, the Tortugas walked-off the Marauders 5-4 in seven-innings on Saturday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Both sides resumed a suspended seven-inning game from Friday night with the Marauders ahead 6-2 in
Valdez Ties Franchise Record as Game Halted Due to Weather
DAYTONA BEACH, FL —Game one of a doubleheader on Friday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark between the Bradenton Marauders and Daytona Tortugas was suspended in the bottom of the fourth with the Marauders ahead 6-2. After an hour and 43-minute rain delay, the Marauders took the early lead in the
Thursday Night’s Contest Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Thursday night’s regularly scheduled contest at Jackie Robinson Ballpark between the Bradenton Marauders and Daytona Tortugas has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Friday, September 6, featuring two seven-inning games beginning at 5:00 pm.
All Hail to the King: Valdez Mashes Two Longballs to Become FSL Home Run Leader
DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Esmerlyn Valdez and Jhonny Severio combined to club four home runs for the Bradenton Marauders as they down the Daytona Tortugas 8-6 on Wednesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Bradenton led from start to finish and opened up the game’s scoring in the first. Keiner Delgado
Seven Hits Not Enough in 7-2 Loss on Monday
DAYTONA BEACH, FL — In their first meeting since April 21, the Bradenton Marauders dropped their series opener 7-2 to the Daytona Tortugas on Monday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The Tortugas struck first beginning in the second inning against Zander Mueth (1-3). The right-hander hit a batter and walked
On to Daytona: Marauders Downed 18-4 in Home Finale
BRADENTON, FL — The Bradenton Marauders closed out their 2024 home schedule with an 18-4 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Tarpons on Sunday afternoon at LECOM Park. Bradenton plated two runs in the opening inning against Andrew Landry. Will Taylor singled and stole second before Landry retired the
Bradenton Drops Both Games in a Doubleheader on Saturday
BRADENTON, FL — The Bradenton Marauders fell in both games of a doubleheader on Saturday night at LECOM Park to the Tampa Tarpons by a score of 7-3 and 5-1 in eight innings. In game one, Tampa struck for a pair of runs in the first inning for the second-straight
Not So Friendly Friday: Tarpons Topple Marauders 9-6
BRADENTON, FL — The Bradenton Marauders fell behind early and ultimately dropped Friday night’s contest at LECOM Park by a score of 9-6 to the Tampa Tarpons. Tampa jumped ahead in the top of the first against Antwone Kelly (1-6). Roderick Arias singled, stole second base and then scored on
Marauders Topped by Tarpons 6-3 on Thursday Night
BRADENTON, FL — The Bradenton Maruaders dropped Thursday night’s contest at LECOM Park 6-3 to the Tampa Tarpons. Both sides were scheduled to play a doubleheader before a lengthy rain delay of three hours and 29 minutes forcing both teams into playing just one nine inning contest. After Connor Wietgrefe
Four Marauders Named to Florida Complex League All-Star Team
BRADENTON, FL — On Thursday afternoon, Minor League Baseball announced the league awards and All-Star teams for the three leagues that make up the Rookie-level classification. The list featured five total FCL Pirates players with four currently playing for the Single-A Bradenton Marauders. Starting pitcher Zander Mueth headlined the list
Wednesday Night’s Contest Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
BRADENTON, FL — Wednesday night’s regularly scheduled contest at LECOM Park between the Bradenton Marauders and Tampa Tarpons has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday, August 29 featuring two seven-inning games beginning at 4:30 pm. Gates will
Around the Horn: Severino Hits for First Cycle in Marauders' Franchise History
BRADENTON, FL — Jhonny Severino collected four hits in four trips en route to the Bradenton Marauders’ first cycle in franchise history in a 7-2 win over the Tampa Tarpons on Tuesday night at LECOM Park. Severino nearly hit for the natural cycle, tallying a single in the first inning,
Offense Awakens Late, Fall in Series-Finale 5-2 on Sunday
LAKELAND, FL — The Bradenton Marauders offense awakened late, scoring two runs in the ninth but ultimately fell 5-2 on Sunday afternoon to the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. With the loss, Bradenton and Lakeland split this week’s six-game series. Both sides received strong starting
How Sweep It Is: Marauders Win Both Games in Lakeland on Saturday Night
LAKELAND, FL — For the first time in 2024, the Bradenton Marauders sweep a doubleheader, defeating the Lakeland Flying Tigers 3-2 in eight innings in game one and 4-3 in game two on Saturday afternoon at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. In game one, Bradenton jumped ahead in the
Friday Night’s Contest in Lakeland Postponed Due to Rain
LAKELAND, FL — Friday night’s regularly scheduled contest between the Bradenton Marauders and Lakeland Flying Tigers at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium was postponed due to inclement weather. The Marauders and Flying Tigers will play a doubleheader on Saturday with game one beginning at 4:00 pm. First pitch is
Strong Pitching Pushes Bradenton Ahead to 4-2 Victory
LAKELAND, FL — For the first time since June 25, 2023, the Bradenton Marauders pick up a win at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium, defeating the Lakeland Flying Tigers 4-2 on Thursday night. Bradenton had lost their previous eight games in Lakeland going back to last season. For the
Marauders Drop Second-Straight on Wednesday Night in Lakeland
LAKELAND, FL — The Bradenton Marauders dropped their second-straight contest to the Lakeland Flying Tigers, falling 7-4 on Wednesday night at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Bradenton’s offense started out hot again, plating runs in three of the first four innings. In the first, the first three batters reached