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.
Danville Otterbots, Ballad Brewing collaborate on Homerun Helles
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE— Over the course of the 2022 season, Ballad Brewing’s Lagerbot found its way into the hearts and stomachs of Otterbots fans during each home game. As the team prepares for 2023 Opening Night on June 6th, Ballad Brewing and the Danville Otterbots are proud to announce their
Danville Otterbots Announce 2023 Roster
Otterbots, roll out! With Danville hosting Appalachian League Opening Night in just 33 days, the Otterbots are proud to announce the club’s 2023 roster. 20 colleges and universities from 15 collegiate athletic conferences are represented, including Virginia Tech and Florida State (ACC), Missouri (SEC), and West Virginia (Big 12). Four
Otterbots announce the 'Analytic Experience' presented by Hargrave Military Academy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE— The “bots” in the Danville Otterbots brand is there for a reason. STEM-based educational initiatives and workforce pipeline development are paving the way to Danville and Southern Virginia’s future, and the hometown team is aligned with the vision. Now, in partnership with Hargrave Military Academy, fans of
Danville Otterbots announce 2023 promotional schedule
Following the “7 Days of Promos” social media series, the Danville Otterbots are thrilled to release their complete 2023 promotional schedule. Featuring daily themes for all Tuesday-Sunday games, SIX firework shows, TWO bobblehead giveaways, FIVE total giveaways, and TWO specialty jersey nights, the 2023 season promises to go down in
All four 2022 coaches and athletic trainer returning to Danville for 2023 season
With MLB Opening Day in the rear-view mirror, the Otterbots have kicked preparation for the 2023 Appalachian League season into hyperdrive. Today the club announced the return of all five members of the 2022 on-field coaching staff, led by third year manager Desi Relaford. Joining Relaford in their third seasons
Olympic-style competition, yard sale, fan fest, and live music coming to Otterbots ballpark
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE— March 29, 2023 Can’t make it to your favorite music festival this summer? Have no fear, the Otterbots are here! Introducing Otterpalooza: on April 28th and 29th the Otterbots ballpark will transform into multi-purpose venue, providing fun for all ages six weeks before Appalachian League Opening Night.
Otterbots announce Caesars Virginia as Presenting Sponsor of the 2023 season
In what will be a banner year for the city of Danville, Virginia, the Danville Otterbots are proud to announce Caesars Virginia as presenting sponsor of the club’s 2023 season. Bookended by an Opening Night celebration on June 6 and a Fan Appreciation party on July 29, Caesars Virginia will
Pittsylvania County Schools, Danville Otterbots Partner on Educational Initiatives
As the Danville Otterbots are set to begin their 3rd season in the revamped Appalachian League, the club has formed a partnership with Pittsylvania County Schools (PCS) focused on educational initiatives for all K-12 students, faculty, and staff. Beginning in the spring 2023 semester, all PCS elementary and middle school
Appalachian League's 2023 managers set to take the helm
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Over the last several weeks, Appalachian League teams have announced their managers for the 2023 season. That group includes four brand-new faces with more than 150 years of combined experience in professional baseball. Former big league manager John McLaren, along with Dennis Cook, Bill Kinneberg and
Otterbots announce Relaford as manager
As the Danville Otterbots inch closer to Opening Night of the 2023 Appalachian League season, the club announced today that Desi Relaford will return for his third season as Otterbots manager. The 11-year MLB veteran brings his experience on the field and in the dugout back to the Otterbots as
Appalachian League participates in MLK Day of Service
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Appalachian League executives participated in the 28th annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2023, volunteering in nine communities across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Tabbed as a “day on, not a day off” to celebrate the life and legacy of the Civil
Appalachian League celebrates 2022 charitable contributions
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that the league’s charitable outreach grew to more than $3.4 million of gift-in-kind and monetary donations this year. Additionally, the league and its clubs volunteered more than 11,000 hours of community service. The league’s reach impacts the towns and cities their 10
Patriots Baseball calling American Legion Post 325 Field "home" for 2023.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE— Danville Otterbots to Host Patrick & Henry Community College 2023 Baseball Season P&HCC Patriots will play all 28 home games at American Legion Post 325 Field in Danville December 13, 2022 Danville’s American Legion Post 325 Field will serve as the Patrick & Henry Community College Patriots’
Appy League adds Justin Morgenstern as director of player personnel
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League is pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Morgenstern as the new director of player personnel. Morgenstern joins the Appalachian League from the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was an area scout since 2016. Morgenstern spent his first three years with the organization covering
Austin Scher named Appalachian League Executive of the Year
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Danville Otterbots general manager Austin Scher is the Executive of the Year. The award is presented to the executive who has made the most valuable contributions to their club and the league in the estimate of their peers. Under Scher's leadership,
Appalachian League announces Humanitarian of the Year nominees
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 10 nominees for its 2022 Humanitarian of the Year award. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season through
2022 All-Appalachian League Team announced
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 2022 All-Appalachian League Team. The honorees were nominated and voted on by the league’s managers. The All-Appalachian League Team is highlighted by Bluefield’s Jackson Feltner, who was named Player of the Year, and Burlington’s Mason Ruh, who earned Pitcher of the
Johnson Jr. hits walk-off single, East tops West at 2022 Appy League All-Star Game
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The East defeated the West, 6-5, at the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance on Tuesday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium. After Greeneville's Brock Daniels (Missouri) hit a game-tying two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth, Danville's RJ Johnson Jr
Fondtain, Herrmann receive Appalachian League weekly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Pulaski's TJ Fondtain (San Diego State) and Danville's Andrew Herrmann (Wofford) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of July 18-24, respectively. Fondtain hit .542 (13-for-24) with three home runs and nine RBI in six games played for the
Roster announced for 2022 Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance
The Appalachian League announced the rosters for the second Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance. The rosters will feature 44 of the league's top players from the East and West Divisions, as nominated and voted on by the league's managers. The Visit Alamance All-Star Game is scheduled to
Danville Otterbots, Ballad Brewing collaborate on LAGERBOT Pale Lager
Just when you thought having a beer and a hot dog at an Otterbots game couldn’t get any better: Now stepping up to the plate, batting cleanup, playing every single one of your taste buds, LAGERBOT! In collaboration with Ballad Brewing, the Danville Otterbots are pleased to announce a team
Appalachian League introduces new extra-innings format
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the addition of a "sudden death" extra-innings rule and the return of seven-inning games on Sundays. EXTRA INNINGS: Similar to the Frontier League and MLB Draft League, the Appalachian League will implement a "sudden death" extra-innings format. During the plate meeting prior
Otterbots announce Goodyear’s Good Seats program
As the Danville Otterbots prepare to host Appalachian League Opening Night on June 2, the club is pleased to announce a new ticket donation program presented by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company: the Goodyear’s Good Seats program. Thanks to Goodyear, 20 tickets to all 2022 Otterbots home games will