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.
San Diego Padres Announce 2025 Lake Elsinore Storm Coaching Staff
The San Diego Padres have announced the 2025 coaching staff for the Lake Elsinore Storm. The 2025 season begins on Tuesday, April 8th with a full series against the Modesto Nuts. Manager: Brian Burres Brian Burres brings an extended MLB resume to Lake Elsinore. He spent six seasons as a
Lake Elsinore Storm Announce Free "Open House" Seating For Game One of the California League Championship Series
Game One is for the Fans as Lake Elsinore Storm Announce Free "Open House" Seating for Game One of the California League Championship Series The Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres Single-A affiliate) secured the Southern Division championship with last night's victory over their Southern division rivals, the Visalia Rawhide (Diamondbacks Single-A
Lake Elsinore Storm Beat Visalia to Become South Division Champions Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm needed just one win to return to the California League Championship Series and, on Thursday night, they ended up needing just two runs to do so. The Storm played in front of over 1,300 fans as they beat the Visalia Rawhide by a final score of
Storm Offense Remains Relentless as Lake Elsinore Wins Game One Presented by The Valley News
The first inning of tonight's game is how many innings have looked since the team was overturned and 8 new position players were brought together over one month ago. This set up a dominant win for the Lake Elsinore Storm in game one of the California League Divisional Series over
Storm Reduce Prices, Pledge Percentage of Ticket Revenue to First Round Playoff Game for Airport Fire Relief
Due to the unfortunate and destructive Airport Fire, the Lake Elsinore Storm have decided to make tomorrow’s game more accessible for and supportive of the local community. Thunder Cares will be donating a percentage of the tickets sold to relief efforts, tickets have been reduced to $9, all remaining 2024
ANNOUNCEMENT: 2025 Lake Elsinore Storm Schedule
Before the final chapter of the 2024 season is written, the heroes named, and the victors immortally celebrated, the outline for the 2025 story is here. MiLB has announced the official schedule for the 2025 Lake Elsinore Storm. Unlike the 2024 schedule, 2025 has far fewer games played in July
Storm Win Final Regular Season Home Game and Series Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm have played through all 66 regular season home games and have come out victorious in a California League-best 42 of those contests after beating the Modesto Nuts on Sunday afternoon. The final score was the result of yet another game that included a crooked inning from
Nuts Come Out on Top, Threaten to Even Series Presented by The Valley News
The Storm packed 3,557 into The Lake Elsinore Diamond on Saturday night for the final Saturday of the season. The Storm, however, were not able to match the explosive fun during the game that would come well after the final out when fireworks were sent into the night sky. They
Storm Win Third Game of Homestand Presented by The Valley News
On a Friar Friday at The Lake Elsinore Diamond, the Storm put up a crooked number in the second inning just as their Big League counterparts have done all season long. The entire game was decided in the bottom of the second inning, however, starting pitching was once again a
Lake Elsinore Storm Lose Lead and Game Against Modesto Nuts Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm had won five in a row and were well on their way to winning their sixth straight before a late-game collapse cost them the first game of the series. The home team once again got a quality performance from their starting pitcher. Maikel Miralles went through
Storm Continue Offensive Surge, Win Game Two Over Nuts Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm offense continued its torrid pace tonight. They once again had double-digit hits while scoring six runs in a win over the Modesto Nuts. After the roster changes thrust him into the role, this was Javier Chacon's fourth start of the season. So far, he has given
Storm Score a Dozen, Beat Nuts at Home Presented by The Valley News
It didn't take the Storm long to illustrate their newfound offensive prowess. They won tonight at The Diamond by a final score of 12-6 over the Modesto Nuts. The turnover on the roster over the last three weeks has created nearly a brand-new team. However, last week, they did something
Storm Score Nine Runs in One Inning, Tie Series Presented by The Valley News
er the InaldnOn a hot day in Lake Elsinore, the Storm gave up multiple early runs to fall behind early. It would take a massive sixth inning to win the game over the Inland Empire 66ers. The away team tallied four runs and hits through the game's first two innings.
Storm Give up Three Runs in The 9th, Lose Third Game of The Series Presented By The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm managed to score just two runs in a 3-2 loss to the Inland Empire 66ers tonight. They carried a 2-0 lead into the final frame before a three-run disaster occurred. Miguel Mendez was the game's starter and his 4.2 innings of work included seven strikeouts, two
Storm Drop Friday Night Clash Against 66ers Presented by The Valley News
After back-to-back wins over Inland Empire, the Storm offense missed the big hit and lost by a final score of 4-3 on Friday night at The Lake Elsinore Diamond. Ian Koenig was tonight's starter for the Storm. He would navigate five frames, strike out five batters, and allow just two
Karpathios Walks Off 66ers, Storm Get Second Consecutive Win Presented by The Valley News
On a night the Lake Elsinore Storm were searching far and wide for offense, one swing of the bat completely turned the game around. Maikel Miralles was the starter for the home team tonight. He got through five innings of work with just one run to his name. That run
Storm Celebrate a Sweet Sixteen Blowout Against 66ers Presented by The Valley News
A night after the Lake Elsinore Storm offense failed to show up, the bats came alive in a 16-4 blowout win over the Inland Empire 66ers. Despite the double-digit final score, Inland Empire led the game through the first one-and-a-half innings. Javier Chacon was tonight's starter for the Storm. He
Storm Drop the First Game of the Series Against the Inland Empire 66ers Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm played their first game at home in two weeks tonight. On the road, the Storm saw roster-wide turnover as 12 players were promoted and 12 new players were brought to Lake Elsinore. In their first series as a somewhat new team, they crushed the Stockton Ports
Storm Win Fifth Straight Over Rawhide Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm continued their home excellence. In a series that was already won, in a season with the playoffs guaranteed, the Storm won their fifth straight game with a dramatic slide into home in the eighth inning. Prior to this electric slide, Isaiah Lowe was the day's starter.
Storm Beat Rawhide, Win Third Consecutive Series Presented by The Valley News
The Lake Elsinore Storm have already secured a playoff position after being on top of the California League South in the first half. They have decided to steamroll through the second half anyway. Tonight's 12-2 victory clinched their third consecutive series victory and included a stretch of 22 innings where
Storm Pitching Staff Keeps Rawhide Scoreless Presented by The Valley News
Tonight's game ended in a flash and it wasn't only due to the post-game fireworks that lit up the night sky. The Lake Elsinore Storm pitching staff once again proved indomitable tonight. Three pitchers would allow only four hits, strike out eight batters, and keep the Visalia Rawhide scoreless. Ian
Storm Walk Off Rawhide For 32nd Win of The Year Presented by The Valley News
The 2024 Lake Elsinore Storm have had a penchant for the theatrical. Their 32nd win at home was one of their many this season that ended on a Storm base hit. Jacob Campbell was tonight's dedicated walk-off hero. This is now the second time he has left the home crowd
Storm Take Down Rawhide, Win Game Two Presented by The Valley News
A night after a disappointing loss, the Lake Elsinore Storm took charge in a 5-1 victory over the Visalia Rawhide. Jose Luis Reyes was the Storm's starter tonight. He would once again prove efficient at home. He would work into the sixth inning with a final line of 5.2 innings
Lake Elsinore Storm Drop Series Opener to Visalia Rawhide Presented by The Valley News
It was a high-scoring affair at The Lake Elsinore Diamond tonight. Luis Gutierrez was on the bump and allowed a run in the first inning. The Storm would respond immediately with a Leodalis De Vries single followed by a Rosman Verdugo double off the Ad Monster. This was long and
Storm Get Shut Out in Final Game Before All-Star Break Presented by The Valley News
On the final game before the All-Star Break, the Lake Elsinore Storm were held scoreless in a 3-0 loss. They had Isaiah Lowe on the mound who has been consistently steady throughout the year (2.93 ERA). He would be the only pitcher to allow runs this afternoon. His final line