Brewers sign Dominican OF Jose Pena for $400K
BP's Kiley McDaniel is reporting that the Brewers are, along with the Giants and Indians, favorites to sign the 6'4"/195 Pena. He's being compared to Jermaine Dye and Juan Gonzalez and wowed the scouts last month in a showcase against the Canadian Junior National Team when he homered off Jake Eliopoulos (a top-three rounds draft talent). McDaniel has Pena as the sixth-best international prospect this year and says that Pena's expected bonus has increased from $500K to $1M-$1.5M in the last couple weeks. Happily, McDaniel has video of Pena hitting. Baseball America's Ben Badler also has a scouting report:
Jose Pena, a 6-foot-3, 190-pound right fielder has flashed some power in game situations from the right side of the plate, showing average speed and a plus arm. Pena has shown well in front of some teams, including a workout in front of the Dodgers' brass and at a showcase last month in the Dominican Republic where he hit a home run off Canadian lefthander Jake Eliopoulos, the Blue Jays' second-round pick. "He's grown bigger and stronger," said one scout. "He's the kind of guy who you might get out the first time, but he adjusts and finds a way to figure it out."
UPDATE: McDaniel tweeted yesterday that he expects Pena to sign with the Padres for $900K-$1M, but ESPN's Jorge Arangure says the Brewers will still make a play for Pena. Today, McDaniel is saying that he now expects Pena to go to someone other than San Diego and sign about a week after the July 2nd period begins, but yesterday Arangure said Pena would probably make his decision by tomorrow. The Yankees worked out Pena today but might not be as interested in him as others.
McDaniel also has the Brewers, along with the Rangers and Pirates, as favorites to sign 6'5"/210 1B Jacob Beltre, the 16th-rated prospect, who is expected to command a $400K-$600K bonus.
UPDATE: Lots from Arangure today on Beltre. A converted third baseman who was talked about as a first baseman, Beltre actually wants to be a catcher, though McDaniel says no teams believe he can stick there; Arangure appears to agree but thinks teams will allow him to sign as a catcher and play his way off the position. McDaniel has upped Beltre's anticipated bonus slightly to $400K-$700K, and like Pena, Beltre may wait a bit to sign. The Rangers and Pirates appear to have dropped out of the running for him, but the Brewers are now joined by the Cardinals, Cubs, Giants, and Dodgers.
UPDATE:Finally, there are a couple other names tied to Milwaukee. The Brewers may be "all over" shortstop Damian Arredondo, according to Arangure. Badler says of Arredondo: "Plus-plus runner, plus hands, plus arm. Bat needs a little work, but has tools." McDaniel says Arredondo will command at least $500K; both he and Arangure have heard the Yankees are very interested in Arredondo.
Also, McDaniel mentioned in the comments of his most recent international prospects article that the Brewers may also be interested in Venezuelan RHP Daniel Sanchez; however, there may be complications, as his scouting report mentions:
Sanchez has quite a range of possible bonuses. He opened the eyes of the 20-plus teams that attended an open workout in Maracay, as his fastball sat in the low 90s and touched 95, and he also flashed an above-average slider and feel for a changeup; he also showed advanced pitchability. Every scout there had one of two immediate reactions: he's a potential $2 million bonus baby, but also "there's no way this guy is 16." After digging on this one for over a month, I still don't know what to make of it. The vast majority of teams say that they've known he was older than 16 for months, but a few teams contend that they have documentation proving that he's 16. There has been unconfirmed talk about the US consulate in Venezuela reaching a decision on a travel visa and/or passport, but the bottom line is that there hasn't been a concrete announcement that I'm aware of regarding Sanchez's age. The rumor on what his age might be is that Sanchez is 19, and I have him ranked here because, in that event, he would presumably be suspended for a year, then sign for a bonus in the low six-figure range, because his talent is very real. That being said, don't mistake Sanchez having a ranking with me having any idea what's going on here.
Arangure isn't sure that Sanchez fits in the Brewers' budget, but the Brewers may have an ace in the hole, at least in determining Sanchez's age: he's the brother-in-law of Milwaukee's Venezula scout.
For perspective on the numbers being thrown around, the (thus far wasted) $710K the Brewers gave Rolando Pascual in 2005 remains the highest bonus for an international player in club history. The $450K to Wily Peralta was better-spent, and Jose Garcia and Hitaniel Arias are promising. If you're wondering, Alcides Escobar was signed for a paltry $33,000 in 2003.
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Comments
Hey, it's draft day today!
oh boy oh boy oh boy
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
by roguejim on Jun 9, 2009 8:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's pretty cool.
I would like to see the Brewers becoming more active in signing international players. BK, do you know how highly ranked Arias was when we signed him?
:) + Suppan = :'(
by NoahJ on Jun 9, 2009 12:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It's weird when they start signing/scouting players that are younger than me
Scored three times and detonated an indisputable in four visits to the batting box.
by Jordan M on Jun 9, 2009 12:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe you held out for too much money
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
by roguejim on Jun 9, 2009 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
When Rodgers officially took the reins and the starting QB of the Packers was younger than me was when I realized I was no longer young. :(
by warwick5s on Jun 9, 2009 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Prince Fielder was the first one for me
I tried to hate him for it, but he’s just so damn lovable.
"I didn't realize his velocity was that high," said Macha, noting that radar readings aren't flashed during exhibition games.
by battlekow on Jun 9, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Prince Fielder was the first for me too.
Prince and I should celebrate birthdays together, since he is about a week younger than me. I keep hoping this will happen.
It's always appropriate to post anything related to Kafka.
by Dionysus0 on Jun 9, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i prefer to not ever think about it
baseball players are supposed to be younger than my dad, not younger than me. I still have a shot at the bigs dammit!
now it seems only Counsell and Cameron are older than me. And maybe one of their recent trade/signings (gerut or cat)
by PagsBrewCrew on Jun 9, 2009 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Arias is 6 days younger than me.
Which probably is part of the reason for my fascination with him.
:) + Suppan = :'(
by NoahJ on Jun 9, 2009 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm older than Mike Rivera
but younger than Jeff Suppan….definitely old in baseball years.
by grant76 on Jun 9, 2009 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm younger than Hoffman!
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Jun 9, 2009 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Better than having to say.....
“I’m younger than Macha!”
by grant76 on Jun 10, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
As an aside… This was one of my earliest Brewer memories….and my only Ted Simmons memory
by grant76 on Jun 10, 2009 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
2 outs in the bottom of the 9th, nobody on, and he gives up a game-tying dinger to molitor, then loads the bases for a grand slam by Simmons. That game must have been nuts!
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Jun 10, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You'll be able to tell your grandkids you saw Bob Gibson win a game
Obscure baseball records and more at my blog, Recondite Baseball.
by TheJay on Jun 10, 2009 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well its more of a top-of-the-stairs-listening-to-Ueck-when-I-was-supposed-to-be-sleeping memory. The combination of Ted Simmons speed camp and reminiscing about how old I’m getting prompted that memory. Cool because they scored 5 runs in the 8th to get close and then 5 morewith two out in the 9th. Other than that I remember nothing of Ted Simmons. An yeah the Bob GIbson thing was a little confusing to me at the time.
by grant76 on Jun 10, 2009 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wait until you reach the age...
… where your favorite player on the team could be your son.
I’m not there yet, but I’m getting close.
by Ted Simmons Speed Camp on Jun 9, 2009 6:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is Jamie Moyer your favorite player?
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
by roguejim on Jun 11, 2009 7:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
There was a guy drafted yesterday
who’s name escapes me right now, anyway, he was born on the day I turned 10. I think being the Brewers 1B is out for me. I guess it’s time for some Crowded House for all of us.
"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."
by Hyatt on Jun 10, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jason Kendall is one day older than me
by juggernaut400 on Jun 9, 2009 4:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
that's okay
they didn’t have the Internet until you were 30
"He had some firsts," said Brewers manager Ken Macha. "His first homer, his first Major League start, his first error and my first gray hair."
by molitorfan on Jun 9, 2009 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Boom, Roasted
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Jun 10, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
To add another international signing by the Crew...
Yohannis Perez got $450k IIRC after defecting from Cuba. Much older though than the usual Caribbean signees at age 24, and in any case that money is probably down the drain as well.
by Zeyes on Jun 30, 2009 6:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Arredondo to the Yankees
It was a great selection of awesome.
by battlekow on Jul 1, 2009 3:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It was a great selection of awesome.
by battlekow on Jul 2, 2009 6:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
According to Arangure
It was a great selection of awesome.
by battlekow on Jul 1, 2009 6:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
And as a result
Jacob Beltre “likely headed elsewhere” according to Badler.
It was a great selection of awesome.
by battlekow on Jul 1, 2009 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
HUGE GET!
Is this the best international prospect the Brewers have signed? Most likely the biggest bonus atleast, when they announce it!
The designated hitter rule is like letting someone else take Wilt Chamberlain's free throws.
by Kyguy922 on Jul 1, 2009 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dave Nilsson. :)
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
by roguejim on Jul 1, 2009 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
bad images
of billboards in Vegas.
Coffey is surprisingly fast, as is the Polish Sausage
by molitorfan on Jul 2, 2009 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I will rec the very mention of his name
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Jul 2, 2009 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
steal
According to Kiley McDaniel he signed for a paltry $400k. What a steal that would be considering they were thinking about $800k for Jose Pena.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/unfiltered/?p=1327
by zbon123 on Jul 2, 2009 12:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Another signing
McCalvy reports that the Brewers also inked 17-year-old Dominican RHP Jean Capellan (ha) for five figures:
Capellan is a right-hander who reaches 92 mph with his fastball and features a hard breaking ball.Seid on Pena:“He has an aggressive mound presence,” Seid said. “I liked what I saw from him. He wasn’t considered a top-tier prospect, but to our organization he’s got potential to do something from a pitching standpoint.”
“It’s official. He signed,” Seid said. “We’re real happy that we got Jose Pena. We’ve been watching him for some time and had him at a couple of workouts, and [Brewers general manager] Doug Melvin was down here and saw him. We’ve been really able to cover the bases on Jose Pena.”Best of all, the Brewers are still aggressively pursuing some other guys.Some steps remain. Pena must pass a physical, plus Major League Baseball’s official background check that verifies players’ ages. Pena just turned 16 in March, and Seid expected no problems in that process.
Pena, 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, is a right-handed hitter described by Seid as a polished hitter with power and projectability.
“He’s a great ‘make-up’ kid,” Seid said. “He’s someone who looks you in the eye and takes instruction well. Overall, the package is good in terms of ability, power, athleticism and make-up.”
It was a great selection of awesome.
by battlekow on Jul 2, 2009 12:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
makes sense they are pursuing more guys
They had budgeted for two more 1st round picks and one or two more supp picks, so that’s a lot of money they didn’t end up spending, even if they do go above slot on a few of the later round guys.
Also, cheese.
by Jeff Sackmann on Jul 2, 2009 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, and that makes me optimistic for signing guys like Howell and Gennett too
I think that and these signings are all informed by the flaming wreckage that was their expected FA compensation.
It was a great selection of awesome.
by battlekow on Jul 2, 2009 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of which
Anything new on those fronts?
BCB, the preferred above replacement level sarcasm supplier.
by MadJimiBrewha on Jul 2, 2009 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nary a peep
Howell certainly didn’t sound optimistic when I talked to him, but that was immediately after the draft and he was definitely just bummed overall that he’d fallen so far.
It was a great selection of awesome.
by battlekow on Jul 2, 2009 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Nary a peep - nice!
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Jul 2, 2009 4:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Say it with me
Suppan extension!
"I will agree that the attitude [at BCB] is ridiculous and they have done so much to instigate animosity and then block us from responding. Real mature!"
by roguejim on Jul 2, 2009 2:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He would be in pretty Exclusive Company if he got an extension from DM
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Jul 2, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He would be in pretty Exclusive Company if he got an extension from DM
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Jul 2, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your reply, however, is not
It was a great selection of awesome.
by battlekow on Jul 2, 2009 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was a quality bad joke the first time
Not so much the second
Cards Announcers On Gamel's First Career HR, ""That’s all they need is another home run hitter".
by tcyoung on Jul 2, 2009 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs


























