I linked to this article on Ramiro Pena yesterday, suggesting that we use caution when discussing a prospect who has seemingly come out of nowhere. Pena hit only .266/.330/.357 in Trenton and has never been higher than AA, yet Madden still felt that it was prudent to write the following:
Fact is, Pena has always demonstrated world class defense since being signed by the Yankees out of Mexico in 2005, but his improvement with the bat is what’s elevated him to legitimate major league prospect status.
“When I first saw him three years ago, you could knock the bat out of his hands,” said one veteran scout whose primary assignment is in the minor leagues. “But he was a magician with the glove and that made him someone to keep an eye on. Now that he’s gained a little weight, put on a little muscle, he’s no longer an ‘out.’ He can handle the bat. I always felt his glove would get him to the big leagues, but now I can see him as an everyday shortstop.”
This is Rob Neyer’s response:
I haven’t seen Ramiro Pena play. Until Sunday, I had never heard of Ramiro Pena. And now he’s the Yankees’ shortstop of the future!
Well, maybe.
This past winter, John Sickels wrote about 40 Yankees prospects in his book. Ramiro Pena wasn’t one of them.
This past winter, the guys at Baseball America wrote about 30 Yankees prospects in their book. Ramiro Pena wasn’t one of them. They mentioned a number of other young players, too, in their minor league depth chart for the Yankees. And here’s where Ramiro Pena shows up: behind Carmen Angelini (Yankees’ No. 28 prospect), Garrison Lassiter (not ranked) and Eduardo Nunez (not ranked).
Exactly. Pena may end up being a suitable utility infielder, and I guess it is possible to suggest that he might someday develop into a starter. However, most of the evidence that we have seen from him suggests that he cannot hit. Let’s not anoint him as the future just yet. We can leave that kind of “reasoned analysis” for Red Sox fanboys and the Bill Madden’s of the world.
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8 Responses to Ramiro Pena Overkill
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TIQ IQ
I don’t read Madden’s article’s because he comes off as completely clueless most of the time. I remember him saying the Yankees had a weak farm system last year.
When I read the his article on Pena (not sure if it’s his fault or not) it showed a picture of Jesus Montero. I was like if you’re going do an article about a prospect most people don’t know about, including minor league followers, get his picture right.
I just checked the picture now, it’s definitely not Montero.
It’s so funny how people are so high on this kid now. He’s an all glove no stick SS, no offense but those guys grow on trees. Now if he really was bothered by shoulder surgery that’s a different story, but thus far in his career he has not shown enough to warrant an everyday position.
It’s actually amazing how quickly the NY media builds up a player.
I just like how Madden just blows off his poor batting average last year and doesn’t even care how he’s done the rest of his pro career.
“It’s actually amazing how quickly the NY media builds up a player.”
And then tears them down (see Rodriguez, Alex).
Seriously though I don’t know anyone that takes Madden’s work seriously anymore, but at least he’s not ripping the yankees for something stupid for a change. However misinformed he is, at least its a positive article.
Here’s the problem with this article there Moshe! Just because you knew nothing of Pena doesn’t mean the Yankee brain trust didn’t know. Also if you want to know more on prospects such as these you should visit Chad Jennings website. He is very informed and covers the minors AAA as well as many prospects coming up. As far as Pena is concerned he made the AA All Star game last year and I watched him and he looked pretty decent. He may evolve into an Orlando Cabrera type with a great world class glove and a decent enough bat to make a difference. But it’s that glove that is gonna have fans excited.
I knew of Pena before, I just didnt pay much attention to him because he has little hitting talent. If multiple sources have looked at Pena and not seen him to be in the Yankees top 30 prospects, it is hard for me to look at a few St Ab’s and call him the SS of the future.