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.
Let the Haunted Debauchery Ensue As St. Paul Saints Become the Crooks Haven Ghostly Gangsters On Friday, June 27
ST. PAUL, MN (March 13, 2025) - John Dillinger. Baby Face Nelson. Ma Barker. Alvin “Creepy” Karpis. The St. Paul Saints have more in common with some of the most famous gangsters in history, who made their way to Saint Paul during prohibition, than you might think. Many might consider
Saints Announce Front Office Changes: Derek Sharrer Elevated To President, Zane Heinselman Promoted to GM
ST. PAUL, MN (March 12, 2025) - The St. Paul Saints, together with owner and operator Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), are proud to announce the promotion of two long-time employees of the club ahead of the 2025 season. Derek Sharrer, who has served as General Manager since 2004, will transition
Saints Give Fans 75 Wicked Good Promotions In 2025
ST. PAUL, MN (March 11, 2025) - The St. Paul Saints are bringing the force, magic, and laughs in 2025 with a season packed full of out-of-this-world promotions. Whether you’re ready to "join the dark side," "defy gravity,” or relax with a beverage and Peanuts, there’s something for every fan.
What's In A Name? Saints Hold Month-Long Name the Pig Contest Presented by Minnesota Star Tribune
ST. PAUL, MN (February 21, 2025) - It’s your chance for immortality. Maybe you’re a little nervous but like the pig, who doesn’t sweat, neither should you. This is the time to use your creative brain, much like the animal you’re trying to name who is considered one of the
Love the One You're With As Saints Single-Game Tickets On Sale February 15
ST. PAUL, MN (February 13, 2025) - Whether your goal is to get a glimpse of a top Minnesota Twins prospect, snag a foul ball, or catch the side-splitting humor at CHS Field, the St. Paul Saints promise to keep people of all ages amused during the 2025 season. Whether
Back Again, Gardenhire Returns For Fifth Season As Saints Manager, Joined Again By Schlechter, Three New Coaches Join Staff
ST. PAUL, MN (January 21, 2025) - Stability at the managerial position is something the St. Paul Saints have had since their inaugural season as an organization in 1993. They had just five managers in 28 seasons as an Independent League team. When they became the Minnesota Twins Triple-A affiliate
Banana Ball World Tour Coming To CHS Field August 1 & 2 As Party Animals Bring Their Unique Brand Of Baseball To Lowertown
ST. PAUL, MN (October 3, 2024) - In 1993 the St. Paul Saints changed the way fans enjoyed baseball games. Instead of making it all about the play on the field, the organization brought fun and irreverent humor to the ballpark. Always looking to partner with organizations that align with
Saints Lose Final Game of the Season 9-4
ST. PAUL, MN (September 22, 2024) - As the St. Paul Saints headed into the final game of the season a number of players were trying to hit personal milestones. One of those players was starting pitcher Caleb Boushely, who was attempting to become the Saints second 10-game winner on
Keirsey Jr. Sets Single-Season Hits Mark, Saints Comeback Falls Short In 8-7 Loss
ST. PAUL, MN (September 21, 2024) - DaShawn Keirsey Jr. is capping off the year with an incredible week in a season he won’t soon forget. He made his Major League debut, he’s been the most consistent hitter on the St. Paul Saints, and on Saturday night he etched his
Raya Impressive In Triple-A Debut, Williams Smashes Two Home Runs, But Saints Lose 8-6
ST. PAUL, MN (September 20, 2024) - If the last two nights are any indication, the St. Paul Saints starting rotation to start 2025 is in good hands. On Thursday night it was Cory Lewis earning a win in his Triple-A debut. On Friday night at CHS Field Marco Raya
Severino Ties Single-Season Franchise Home Run Mark In 8-3 Saints Win
ST. PAUL, MN (September 19, 2024) - For the last 12 games Yunior Severino has been stuck on 20 home runs, one shy of the St. Paul Saints single-season home run mark. On Thursday night at CHS Field he finally tied the record with a fifth inning home run. That
Close Game Gets Away From Saints In 10-2 Loss To Indianapolis
ST. PAUL, MN (September 18, 2024) - The St. Paul Saints kept the same game plan on Wednesday as they did on Tuesday. Facing the number two pitching prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, Thomas Harrington, the Saints kept it close for six innings. Unfortunately, instead of a come from
Saints Start Off Final Series Of Season With 4-2 Win Over Indianapolis
ST. PAUL, MN (September 17, 2024) - For the second time this season St. Paul Saints starter Caleb Boushley got the start opposite the Pittsburgh Pirates number one prospect, and the number 21 prospect in baseball, Indianapolis Indians fireballer Bubba Chandler. Boushley once again kept his team in the game,
Two Top 30 Pitchers Promoted From Wichita, Marco Raya and Cory Lewis Transferred to St. Paul
ST. PAUL, MN (September 16, 2024) - As the last week of the season has arrived, there is one final chance for prospects to get a taste of Triple-A. That is what Marco Raya and Cory Lewis will be getting, as they were promoted to St. Paul on Monday. Raya,
Saints Finish Off Road Portion Of Schedule With 5-2 Loss To Clippers
COLUMBUS, OH (September 15, 2024) - And now all that is left are six games at CHS Field. The St. Paul Saints finished off the road portion of their schedule jumping out to a 2-0, but as happened in the previous three games the Columbus Clippers scored several unanswered runs
Saints Drop Fourth Straight To Clippers, 8-3
COLUMBUS, OH (September 14, 2024) - The teams chasing the Columbus Clippers for the second half title were hoping to get some help from the St. Paul Saints this week. After winning game one of the series, however, the Saints haven’t been able to equal what they did on Tuesday.
Severino Sets Single-Season Franchise RBI Record, But Saints Fall 11-1
COLUMBUS, OH (September 13, 2024) - One record down, one to go for Yunior Severino. His first inning RBI single gave him the franchise single-season record and he still needs one home run to tie that mark. Unfortunately, that was all the positive feelings for the St. Paul Saints in
Eerily Similar Feeling, Saints Give Up Three-Run Homer In Eighth And Fall 8-7 To Clippers
COLUMBUS, OH (September 12, 2024) - If you put Wednesday night’s game side-by-side with Thursday night’s game you would find several similarities. The St. Paul Saints got an insurance run in the eighth on a bases loaded walk, but couldn’t deliver the knockout blow. In the bottom of the inning
Empty Feeling, Saints Lose On Walk-Off Homer In Ninth 7-6
COLUMBUS, OH (September 11, 2024) - The horror continues for the St. Paul Saints at Huntington Park. Entering Wednesday night the Saints were 11-26 in the home of the Columbus Clippers. They carried a three run lead into the eighth, but saw that disappear with a home run in the
Saints Attempt To Play Spoiler With 7-4 Win Over Clippers
COLUMBUS, OH (September 10, 2024) - The St. Paul Saints are 16-games under .500 at Huntington Park in their franchise history. But for the next six days they have a chance to play spoiler to the best team in the second half as the Columbus Clippers entered the day 4.0
Saints Score Seven Runs Over Final Three Innings For 9-3 Win
ST. PAUL, MN (September 8, 2024) - A well-pitched game on both sides early on turned into a rout for the St. Paul Saints late. They scored seven runs over their final three at bats as Carson McCusker finished a triple shy of the cycle in a 9-3 victory over
Emmanuel Rodriguez' Inside-the-Park Grand Slam Helps Saints To 8-6 Victory
ST. PAUL, MN (September 7, 2024) - Emmanuel Rodriguez is no stranger to inside-the-park grand slams, hitting a walk-off one at High-A Cedar Rapids in 2023. He can add another memorable one to his impressive ledger as his first Triple-A home run was an inside-the-park grand slam as part of
Morris Strong, Oat Milkers Hit Three Homers, But Fall 8-4 To I-Cubs
ST. PAUL, MN (September 6, 2024) - Despite being on a limited pitch count, Andrew Morris was tremendous in his fifth Triple-A start. He went 3.2 innings and left with a 4-0 lead, but it unraveled after he left as the St. Paul Saints Malmö Oat Milkers fell 8-4 to
Second Time In Two Weeks Prato Plays Hero With Walk-Off Single In Ninth As Saints Win 7-6
ST. PAUL, MN (September 5, 2024) - He didn’t start the game, but he sure finished it. Anthony Prato entered the game in the eighth inning as a pinch runner. One inning later his walk-off single to center gave the St. Paul Saints a 7-6 win over the Iowa Cubs
Headrick, Dobnak Spin Gem In 2-1 Win Over I-Cubs
ST. PAUL, MN (September 4, 2024) - Brent Headrick made his return to the St. Paul Saints, pitching in his first game since April 6 after coming off a left forearm strain. He was masterful in his 3.0 innings of work. Randy Dobnak did the rest as the two combined