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.
Round Rock Express 25th Season Team Announced
ROUND ROCK, Texas – In anticipation of the 25th season of baseball at Dell Diamond and following an offseason fan vote, the Round Rock Express have announced the Top 25 Express Team. The first 2,000 Express fans through the gates on Saturday, May 31 will receive a card set of
Manager Bobby Jones to be Inducted into Round Rock Express Hall of Fame
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Former Manager Bobby Jones has been selected for induction into the Round Rock Express Hall of Fame, the team announced on Wednesday morning. After deliberation by front office staff and stakeholders, Jones becomes the 11th member and just the second Manager to be selected for the
Round Rock Express Fan Fest Returns on Saturday, March 22
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Round Rock Express Fan Fest, presented by Intel, is set to return to Dell Diamond on Saturday, March 22! Fans of all ages are invited to the ballpark from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. to help celebrate the start of the 25th season of baseball in
Round Rock Express to Host Job Fair on Saturday, March 1
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Have you dreamed of working in professional baseball? The Round Rock Express and RS3 Strategic Hospitality are hosting a job fair on Saturday, March 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. inside the United Heritage Center at Dell Diamond. The organizations are seeking gameday and event
Round Rock Express Reveal 2025 Promotional Schedule
ROUND ROCK, Texas – With the baseball season only 43 days away, the Round Rock Express is thrilled to unveil the team’s initial promotional schedule. The 2025 home schedule gets started with Opening Day presented by Dell Technologies at Dell Diamond on Tuesday, April 1 against the Toledo Mud Hens
Peak Events Announces Midweek Matchup at Dell Diamond
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Peak Events, LLC, in partnership with the Round Rock Express, is excited to announce a midweek matchup between Oregon State University and the University of Houston. The game will be held at Dell Diamond on February 19 at 6:00 p.m. This event will take place just
Round Rock Express National Anthem Auditions Return on February 4
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Who’s ready to sing?! The Round Rock Express are looking for the best talent in the area to perform the National Anthem at a 2025 Express game at Dell Diamond. Central Texas’ best groups under 10 performers and individual singers are invited to open auditions on
Texas Rangers Caravan Returns to Dell Diamond on January 23
ROUND ROCK, Texas –The Texas Rangers Caravan is returning to Dell Diamond on Thursday, January 23, presented by Cody Pools. A group of familiar faces will be joining the caravan, including Rangers RHP Marc Church, RHP Dane Dunning, LHP Jacob Latz, RHP Jacob Webb and Rangers Pitching Coach Mike Maddux.
Round Rock Express Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Texas Rangers revealed the organization’s minor league coaching staffs for the 2025 season on Monday afternoon, including that of the Round Rock Express. Manager Doug Davis will return for his third season at the helm of the E-Train. He sits only 73 wins away from
Kenny Bufton Named Pacific Coast League Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year
ROUND ROCK, Texas – On Tuesday afternoon, Minor League Baseball announced that Round Rock Express Clubhouse Manager, Kenny Bufton, was named the Pacific Coast League Visiting Clubhouse Manager of the Year. The winner of this award is selected by Major League Baseball with nominations made by individuals across the industry,
Round Rock Express Release 2025 Home Game Times and Flex Plans
ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Round Rock Express have revealed the team’s home game times for the upcoming 2025 season. The Express will start the season on the road against the Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners affiliate) on Friday, March 28. The first home game at Dell Diamond in 2025 is
Banana Ball Set to Visit Dell Diamond September 19-20, 2025
ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Savannah Bananas are expanding and bringing “The Greatest Show in Sports” (ESPN) to over two million fans, 18 Major League Baseball stadiums and three football stadiums across 40 cities and 25 states throughout 2025. The newest Banana Ball team, the Texas Tailgaters, is set to
Round Rock RHP Jack Leiter Named PCL Pitcher of the Year
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Minor League Baseball announced league awards and All-Stars for the Pacific Coast League on Wednesday afternoon. Round Rock Express RHP Jack Leiter was named PCL Pitcher of the Year. Leiter was the lone member of the Express to be named a PCL All-Star. Leiter joins LHP
Schedule Unveiled for Sixth Annual Karbach Round Rock Classic
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Peak Events, LLC, in partnership with Karbach Brewing Company, Go Round Rock, and the Round Rock Express, is excited to announce the schedule for the sixth annual Karbach Round Rock Classic, set to return to Dell Diamond on February 21-23, 2025. The tournament will feature four
Round Rock RHP Marc Church Promoted to Texas
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Welcome to The Show, Marc! The Texas Rangers announced that the club recalled Round Rock Express RHP Marc Church last Friday afternoon. Church went on to make his Major League debut on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Church entered Saturday’s game in
The Light Park Coming to Dell Diamond for 2024 Holiday Season
ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Round Rock Express, in conjunction with The Light Park, has announced the opening of its dazzling holiday light display at Dell Diamond. The Light Park will begin outside the ballpark from November 1 - January 5. The Light Park is an immersive, mile-long, drive-thru spectacular.
The New Balance Future Stars Series set for Dell Diamond on October 4-5
ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Round Rock Express, in conjunction with Program 15 Sports, announced on Friday that The New Balance Future Stars Series will take place at Dell Diamond on Friday, October 4 and Saturday, October 5. “While the 2024 season is over for the Round Rock Express, we’re
Round Rock OF Dustin Harris Promoted to Texas
ROUND ROCK, Texas – Welcome to The Show, Dustin! The Texas Rangers announced that the club selected the contract of Round Rock Express OF Dustin Harris on Tuesday afternoon. Harris was active for yesterday’s game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum. Harris has spent parts of the last
Round Rock Ends 2024 Season with 6-4 Loss in Tacoma
TACOMA, Wash. – The Round Rock Express (34-40 | 71-77) dropped its 2024 season finale to the Tacoma Rainiers (39-36 | 82-68) by a final score of 6-4 at Cheney Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Round Rock reliever RHP Marc Church (1-1, 3.22) was credited with a blown-save loss after allowing
Tacoma Earns Shutout, Takes Down Round Rock 8-0
TACOMA, Wash. – The Round Rock Express (34-39 | 71-76) fell in game five of the series on Saturday night at Cheney Stadium against the Tacoma Rainiers (38-36 | 81-68) by a final score of 8-0. Round Rock starter LHP Avery Weems (0-2, 8.31) was tagged with the loss after
Express Hang On for 4-3 Victory in Extras Over Rainiers
TACOMA, Wash. – The Round Rock Express (34-38 | 71-75) earned a 4-3 win in 11 innings over the Tacoma Rainiers (37-36 | 80-68) at Cheney Stadium on Friday night. Round Rock reliever RHP Daniel Robert (4-2, 2.70) came away with a gutsy win after 2.0 innings of perfect baseball
Tacoma Beats Round Rock 11-7 on Thursday Night
TACOMA, Wash. – The Round Rock Express (33-38 | 70-75) could not overcome a 10-2 deficit and the Tacoma Rainiers (37-35 | 80-67) earned an 11-7 win at Cheney Stadium on Thursday. Round Rock starter RHP Peter Solomon (6-5, 6.50) earned the loss after his 1.2-inning outing saw six runs
Express Offense Explodes in 14-5 Win Over Rainiers
TACOMA, Wash – The Round Rock Express (33-37 | 70-74) took down the Tacoma Rainiers (36-35 | 79-67) at Cheney Stadium on Wednesday by a final score of 14-5. Round Rock reliever RHP Marc Church (1-0, 2.11) took home the win following 2.0 innings of scoreless baseball with three hits
Express INF Jax Biggers Earns Texas Rangers True Ranger Award
ROUND ROCK, Texas – The Texas Rangers announced on Tuesday evening that INF Jax Biggers earned the organization’s minor league True Ranger Award for the 2024 season. The award was established in 2019 and highlights a player who represents the core values of the organization in a positive light both