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.
Boise Hawks 2022 Seasonal Job Fair Announced
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks have announced the date of their annual seasonal job fair for the 2022 season on Saturday, April 23rd from 10 AM to 1 PM at Memorial Stadium. The Hawks are in search of dedicated and reliable personnel to join their game day staff for the
Boise Hawks Announce Sports Career Academy
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks, the Pioneer Baseball League Southern Division Champions, have announced they are taking resumes for their new Boise Hawks Sports Career Academy. The Boise Hawks Sports Career Academy gives Treasure Valley college students a first-hand look into the world of sports and entertainment sales and service.
Hawks Release New Hospitality Options for 2022
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks, the Pioneer Baseball League Southern Division Champions, have released their new hospitality options at Memorial Stadium for the 2022 season. Groups now can choose from two hospitality options, based on time of food service and each with unique offerings. “Our goal is the give the
Hawks Announce Annual Winter Glove Drive
Hawks Announce Annual Winter Glove Drive Donate a pair of winter gloves and receive a complimentary ticket to Opening Night BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks, the Pioneer Baseball League Southern Division Champions, have announced their annual Winter Glove Drive. For each new pair of winter gloves donated, fans will receive
PBL Announces Postseason Award Winners
All Star Team, Award Winners and Stats Champs Announced At its Annual Meetings in Las Vegas, NV, the Pioneer Baseball League (“PBL”) today announced its 2021 All Star Team, Postseason Award Winners and Statistics Champions. Zac Almond, catcher for the PBL champion Missoula PaddleHeads was named the league’s Most Valuable
2022 Hawks Schedule Release
The Boise Hawks, 2021 Pioneer Baseball League Southern Division Champions, have announced their 2022 game schedule. The 2022 campaign begins on the road, in Idaho Falls, on Wednesday, May 25. Opening Night at Memorial Stadium will take place on Saturday, May 28 against the Idaho Fall Chukars. The final game
BallparktoberFest Postponed
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks announced this morning that they have postponed BallparktoberFest, their annual beer tasting event at Memorial Stadium, until the Spring of 2022. “With TreeFort, AleFort, and various similarly themed events going on throughout the state, we unfortunately had to postpone BallparktoberFest until the spring. With all
From the Desk of Mike Van Hise
It’s taken a few days for me to come down from the excitement (and anxiety, lots of anxiety) of the Championship Series and I can’t help but take some time to share with you our thoughts on the 2021 season. For the first time, we were able to showcase home
PBL Championship Game Three: Boise bested in season finale
Boise, ID - In the final game of the PBL Championship, the Boise Hawks (1-2) had their season end in disappointing fashion, falling 14-1 at the hands of the Missoula PaddleHeads (2-1) on Thursday night at Memorial Stadium. It was a bad start for Boise, who allowed a two-run homer
PBL Championship Game Two: Hawks leave it late to force decisive Game Three
Boise, ID - Game Two of the PBL Championship Series was a story that matched much of the Boise Hawks (1-1) season as they completed a late comeback to take down the Missoula PaddleHeads (1-1) by a final score of 5-4 on Wednesday night at Memorial Stadium. Falling behind early
PBL Championship Game Two and Three Ticket Links
Tickets for the PBL Championship Series can be purchased from the following links, or by calling the front office at (208)-322-5000 or in person at the Gutterdone Box Office at Memorial Stadium. GAME 2 🎟: https://bit.ly/2YLssxL GAME 3 🎟: https://bit.ly/38W3w8m
PBL Championship Game One: Hits hard to come by for Hawks in loss
Missoula, MT - A lack of offense led to a Boise Hawks (0-1) defeat at the hands of the Missoula PaddleHeads (1-0) in Game One of the Pioneer Baseball League Championship Series by a final score of 8-2 on Monday night at Ogren Park at Allegiance Field. Missoula crossed the
PBL Championship Series Preview
Missoula, MT - In their very first season in the Pioneer League, the Boise Hawks have earned the right to play for the PBL Championship in a best of three series against the Missoula PaddleHeads. Both teams took vastly different routes to reach the championship series, with Missoula winning both
Southern Division Championship: Boise takes down Ogden in 12 innings, advances to PBL Championship Series
Ogden, UT - In the only extra innings game played in the Pioneer Baseball League this season, the Boise Hawks walked away as the PBL Southern Division Champions, winning 8-7 over the Ogden Raptors in 12 innings at Lindquist Field on Saturday night. Things started very poorly for the Hawks,
Boise Hawks, ITD Partner for Hawks Postseason
BOISE, ID: The Boise Hawks are excited to announce the Idaho Transportation Department will be the Presenting Partner of the 2021 Boise Hawks Post-Season. The Hawks return to the post-season for the first time in 7 years. “We’re really proud to partner with the Hawks and congratulate them on a
Game 95: Boise picks up division clinching victory on the strength of five home runs
Ogden, UT - Falling behind after six, a comeback in the final three innings would allow the Boise Hawks (28-19) to walk away from Lindquist Field as the PBL South Second Half Division Champions thanks to a 9-7 victory over the Ogden Raptors (25-22) on Thursday night. Ogden started the
Game 94: Boise struggles to score in series opener
Ogden, UT - A slow night for offense saw the Boise Hawks (27-19) come up short in a 6-2 ballgame against the Ogden Raptors (25-21) on Wednesday night at Lindquist Field. Runs wouldn’t end up on the scoreboard until the bottom of the fourth inning, in large part thanks to
Game 93: Boise breaks playoff drought with overpowering victory
Boise, ID - In their final regular season game at home in 2021 the Boise Hawks (27-18) not only defeated the Grand Junction Rockies (24-21) but also clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2014 thanks to a 7-3 victory on Monday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. Jason Dicochea
Game 92: Hawks can't hold early lead
Boise, ID - An early lead wouldn’t be enough for the Boise Hawks (26-18) who saw the Grand Junction Rockies (24-20) come back in the middle innings during an 8-6 defeat on Sunday night at Memorial Stadium. Like Friday night, it was Alejandro Rivero who gave Boise an early lead,
Game 91: Vancena puts Boise on verge of clinching second half crown
Boise, ID - After Matt Dallas shined on Friday, the Boise Hawks (26-17) got another marvelous pitching performance from their starter, guiding them to a 13-6 win over the Grand Junction Rockies (23-20) on Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. Offensively it was all Boise in the early and middle innings,
Game 90: Brilliant Dallas pitches Boise to 5-1 victory
Boise, ID - In a night dominated by pitching, it was the Boise Hawks (25-17) who found a way to put runs on the board, winning 5-1 over the Grand Junction Rockies (23-19) on Friday night at Memorial Stadium. Matt Dallas set the tone early, by striking out the side
Game 89: Boise can't hold back Grand Junction
Boise, ID - Thirteen unanswered runs would sink the Boise Hawks (24-17) in a 16-4 loss to the Grand Junction Rockies (23-18) on Thursday night at Memorial Stadium. It took until the third inning for either side to score, with the Rockies firing the opening salvo and plating three in
Game 88: Hawks steal series opener in a Knock Out
Boise, ID - A ninth inning comeback, and a Knock Out round victory padded the Boise Hawks (24-16) lead in the second half over the Grand Junction Rockies (22-18) thanks to a 5-4 victory on Wednesday night at Memorial Stadium. Most of the night was controlled by the men on
Game 87: Offensive onslaught sends Hawks home happy
Idaho Falls, ID - The Boise Hawks (23-16) unloaded an offensive barrage on the Idaho Falls Chukars (20-19) on their way to a 15-6 victory on Sunday night at Melaleuca Field. Hits came early and often for Boise, who got three knocks in the second inning, but ended up stranding
Game 86: Boise gives up early runs in defeat
Idaho Falls, ID - Trying to play catch-up all evening long would not be successful for the Boise Hawks (22-16) in a 14-5 loss to the Idaho Falls Chukars (20-18) on Saturday night at Melaleuca Field. Boise would fall behind 1-0 just two batters into the contest, and end up