Top Prospect
Alert
Carlos Pena: The 10th overall selection in
the 1999 draft and the 3rd college hitter drafted behind only Pat Burrell
and J.D.Drew. This 6 foot 2, 210 pound, lefty was a star 1st baseman at
Northeastern after spenting a year at Wright State. In the summer of 1997,
this bative of the Dominican Republic won the MVP of the famed Cape Cod
League.
Once signed, Carlos began his pro career in the GCL where he went 2 for
5 before being moved up to Savannah (.327, 6 HR's, 20 RBI, 13 doubles, 21
runs scored, 8 BB's, 25 K's, 3 steals) and then finally reached Charlotte
(.327, in 22 AB's, 1 double, 1 run scored, 3 RBI 2 BB's, 8 K's) to end the
season.
Pena spent 1999 at High A+ Charlotte of the Florida State League where
he was a teammate of another top Ranger prospect, Jason Romano. Carlos
went on to hit .255 in 501 AB's with 18 HR's, 103 RBI, 31 doubles, 8
triples, 85 runs scored, 74 BB's, 135 K's, 16 HBP, and 2 steals for the
Rangers. I was disappointed with the batting average as I thought it would
be higher, but he is still just 21 so I am not really concerned about it.
He also needs to lower the K's.
Ever since I saw him in college, I have really loved his swing, it is
textbook. It should be ideal for The Ballpark in Arlington. The HR number
could increase as he develops. In the field, he is good around the base
and could be a future gold glove winner.
If he continues to develop and make the necessary adjusts, the best
comparison I can give you on Carlos is to think of Will Clark when he was
in his prime with the Giants, but with more speed. Either Shawn Gallagher
or Pena will be the replacement to Rafael Palmeiro. I like Pena to win
that battle.
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