Providence's Jeremy Pena has done something no rookie SS has ever done before

This memorable season for Jeremy Peña gained another highlight Tuesday evening.

The Astros rookie and Providence native was named a Gold Glove winner prior to Game 3 of the World Series against the Phillies. Peña is the first shortstop to capture the award in his debut — Rawlings began its run as presenting sponsor in 1957.

More:'Dream come true' for Providence's Jeremy Peña playing for Houston Astros at Fenway Park

Peña tied Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas with 15 defensive runs saved, which led the big leagues at the position, according to FanGraphs. He also accounted for six outs above average, according to Baseball Savant, which placed Peña in the 91st percentile among all defenders in baseball. The scouting report on Peña prior to his promotion in 2022 suggested he had the best glove among Houston’s prospects — that has certainly proven true over the last seven months.

“I felt like this year we got a lot of good work done,” Peña said in a pregame press conference at Citizens Bank Park. “[Bench coach] Joe Espada, [first-base coach] Omar López — they knew exactly what I had to work on to become a better defender. We stuck with it all year.”

Wrist surgery cost Peña the majority of his 2021 season and he entered spring training having played just 30 games above the Double-A level. The Astros named him their starter for Opening Day, replacing club cornerstone Carlos Correa. He had departed to the Twins in free agency and Peña proceeded to make history among rookies at his position.

“I heard that today and I was in shock because I didn't know that was a thing,” Peña said. “But it's pretty cool.”

Peña beat out Correa and Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, his two fellow finalists at the position. He joined Houston teammate Kyle Tucker among the winners — Tucker captured his honor in right field. Guardians left fielder Steven Kwan and Cardinals utility man Brendan Donovan made it a historic trio with Peña — the first time three rookies took home Gold Glove awards in a single season.

“It feels like we're a family,” Peña said. “It gives you a comfort level to know you could go up to any player and ask them for advice and you know they are looking out for you.”

Peña was one of 14 first-time winners in 2022. Nolan Arenado won his 10th straight Gold Glove at third base with the Cardinals. Mookie Betts won his sixth Gold Glove in right field — four with Boston, the last two with the Dodgers.

“It's a pretty cool moment, for sure,” Peña said. “Congratulated by our teammates — we know the focus is the game, so we're going to enjoy this for a little bit and then get ready.”

Peña was named the Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series after the Astros swept the Yankees in four games. He cracked two home runs and two doubles among his six hits and scored the eventual winning run in Game 4. That followed a regular season in which Peña totaled 22 home runs and made himself a contender to receive A.L. Rookie of the Year votes.

Peña moved to Providence from the Dominican Republic when he was in elementary school. He developed into a star at Classical High and at the University of Maine. Houston selected him in the third round of the 2018 draft and offered him a chance to follow his father, Geronimo, into the professional baseball ranks.

bkoch@providencejournal.com     

On Twitter: @BillKoch25 

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Jeremy Peña, of Providence, is first rookie SS to win MLB Gold Glove