Jeremy Joan Peña is a Dominican-American professional baseball shortstop for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He attended the University of Maine and played college baseball for the Black Bears.
The Astros selected Peña in the third round of the 2018 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut in 2022.
That season, Peña won the AL Gold Glove Award at shortstop, the first rookie to win the award at his position and was named the MVP of both the American League Championship Series and the World Series, becoming the first player to win both awards in the same year.
Peña was awarded the AL 2022 Gold Glove Award for his play at shortstop. He became the first Astros rookie to win a Gold Glove, and the first rookie ever to win a Gold Glove at shortstop in MLB history.
The Houston chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) named Peña the Astros’ Rookie of the Year.
What team did Jeremy Peña come from?
He was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 39th round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, but he did not sign and instead enrolled at the University of Maine where he played college baseball.
The Houston Astros selected Peña in the third round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. Peña signed with Houston and made his professional debut with the Tri-City ValleyCats of Class A Short Season New York-Penn League, batting .250 with one home run and ten RBIs over 36 games, earning All-Star honours.
In 2019, Peña began the year with the Quad Cities River Bandits of the Class A Midwest League, with whom he was named an All-Star, before being promoted to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League in June.
Over 109 games between the two teams, he slashed .303/.385/.440 with seven home runs, 54 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases. After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League with the Peoria Javelinas.
He was activated off the injured list in late August and was assigned to the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Triple-A West. Over 30 games, he slashed .287/.346/.598 with ten home runs and 19 RBIs.
On November 19, 2021, the Astros selected Peña’s contract and added him to their 40-man roster. Following the departure of incumbent shortstop Carlos Correa via free agency, Peña was named starting shortstop during 2022 spring training. He made his major league debut on Opening Day versus the Los Angeles Angels.