The Yankees future replacement for Derek Jeter may make the team as a backup infielder with Alex Rodriguez out. Ramiro Pena, despite improvements, isn’t likely to bring a lot of offense with him:
“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.”
He played his second full season at AA in 2008 after a short stint in 2006. He’s improved his batting stats, but to the point where he posts a .330 OBA at that level. That’s not an out there, but would likely translate to something lower in the majors.
That said, the Yankees have enough offense at the other positions to absorb a great glove man at short, especially if the removal of Jeter leads to fewer runs scored.
Posted by David Pinto at 7:08 pm | Defense | Permalink | 1 Comment
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March 29th, 2009 @ 12:45 am
[...] major league scout has some kind words for Ramiro Pena (h/t Pinto). Takeaway quote: “…now I can see him as an everyday shortstop.” While the [...]