'Dream come true' for Providence's Jeremy Peña playing for Houston Astros at Fenway Park
BOSTON — Right knee soreness kept Jeremy Peña out of the Houston Astros starting lineup on Monday night. It’s about the only thing that has slowed the Classical High product during his rookie season in the big leagues.
Peña enjoyed a homecoming at Fenway Park in the midst of what has been a headlining start. He’s among the best two-way shortstops in baseball through 35 games, playing a key role with the leaders in the American League West.
More: Ex-Classical star Jeremy Peña has special night as Astros shortstop
“Playing at Fenway, being a kid from New England — it's a dream come true,” Peña said. “This field has so much history.”
Peña went through a host of baseball activities prior to batting practice and pronounced himself fit to appear off the bench. He also took time to visit the Green Monster and sign the wall inside one of the city’s most noteworthy structures. His autograph now sits alongside one that purportedly belongs to Babe Ruth — Peña couldn’t help but laugh while debating its authenticity.
“I’ve always wanted to sign it,” Peña said. “Last year I had the opportunity — I was on the taxi squad. I told myself I was going to sign it when I was actually playing here, so I waited a year.”
MLB power rankings: Astros' 11-game winning streak gets Houston into top three
It’s been a rapid rise for the 24-year-old. Peña played just 30 games with Triple-A Sugar Land last year after missing time due to left wrist surgery. All he’s done so far with Houston is lead all rookie shortstops in home runs, runs batted in, slugging percentage and OPS.
“Just show up every single day ready to compete, looking to improve and get better,” Peña said. “Compete with my teammates. Go out and win games.”
Jeremy Peña, former Classical High School star
Peña was a star with the Purple before going on to play for three years at the University of Maine. He was a third-round selection by the Astros in the 2018 draft and signed for a bonus of $535,000. Peña was viewed as a glove-first prospect with the chance to develop into a worthwhile hitter — his six defensive runs saved according to FanGraphs lead all A.L. shortstops.
What came later for Peña was his power at the plate — that short stint with the Skeeters included 10 home runs and a .942 OPS. His tear continued through 30 games of Winter Ball in his native Dominican Republic, as Peña slashed .291/.361/.410. Those numbers were good enough for the Astros to feel comfortable with making him the Opening Day successor to franchise cornerstone Carlos Correa.
“You want to be part of a contending club — a contending team,” Peña said. “We have great ballplayers — Hall of Famers — on this team.
“You look to your left, you look to your right and you can learn from anybody. It’s great to be part of the club.”
Correa signed a three-year, $105.3-milion deal with the Minnesota Twins in free agency, departing Houston after seven seasons. Peña was left to take the field between a pair of All-Stars in third baseman Alex Bregman and second baseman Jose Altuve. Both have been willing mentors for a franchise seeking a fourth World Series appearance in six years.
“They’ve been a lot of help since the first day I came in,” Peña said. “They’ve encouraged me to be the best version of myself. Prepare the best I possibly can for the games.
“I always mess around trying to pick their brains. They know this game.”
Father, Geronimo Pena played forSt. Louis and Cleveland
Baseball has always been the relatively easy part for Peña. His father, Geronimo, played in 378 games as a utility man with St. Louis and Cleveland from 1990-96. Having a mentor just down the hall allowed Peña to develop good habits early and gave him an invaluable resource while learning the game.
“I’m blessed to say I have my idol at home,” Peña said. “He went through a process I’m trying to get through. Whenever I have a question he’s just a call away.”
Off the field has been more of a challenge. Peña and his family moved to Providence when he was in elementary school. Learning a new language and getting comfortable in school didn’t happen overnight. Peña leaned heavily on the game, his teammates and the community at large to find his footing in a new culture.
“Playing baseball, it’s the language we all speak,” Peña said. “You didn’t really have to speak English on the baseball field. Just play, have fun and make friends.”
Peña keeps in regular contact with former Classical coach Ken Wnuk and Thomas Verdi, the Providence police deputy chief who also serves as a board member with the city’s Providence Sports & Leadership baseball program. He occasionally works out in the offseason at GLG Athletic Performance, an indoor facility that also hosts New York Yankees right-hander Michael King. Peña said anyone looking for a ticket to this three-game series was on their own — he wouldn’t be playing favorites.
“I didn’t give out any tickets,” Peña said. “You give out one, you’ve got to give everybody a ticket.
“They’re all supportive — they all got their own tickets. I’ll try to touch base with as many of them as I can after the game.”
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Houston Astros Jeremy Peña playing at Fenway Park a dream for a RI kid
