Full name: Carlos Peña

DOB: 5/17/78    Birthplace: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

Residence: Haverhill, MA

Height: 6-2    Weight: 210

Position: 1B    Bats: Left    Throws: Left

Drafted: June, 1998 (1st round - 10th overall pick)

MLB Debut: September 5, 2001    Years of Service: 2

Family: Father, Felipe; Mother, Mery; Brother, Pedro, 22; Twins Omar and Femaris, 21

Personal: Oldest of 4 kids...Is a native of the Dominican Republic, his family moved to the United States in 1992, when Carlos was 13...Since he was a kid growing up in the Dominican Republic, Pena has insisted he would be a big-league superstar...Although he didn't speak much English when he arrived in the United States, Carlos soon became an honor roll student as well as a star athlete. Breaking down language and cultural barriers at an early age gives Carlos an edge most foreign-born players don't have and a perspective many U.S. players can't grasp. Carlos had a high school baseball career that gave no clue of his potential, but he still signed yearbooks: "Thank you all and watch me get there," referring to the majors. The low point of Pena's young life, came when he was in high school, gaining so little notice from Division I colleges, he drafted a form letter and sent it out to some 100 schools. Only three replied. Pena's confidence helped him weather the disappointment of going undrafted out of high school. After graduating from high school, Pena won a scholarship to Wright State, but he missed his family and didn't feel comfortable at the school. He came home and worked in the mailroom of a bank for nine months before landing a scholarship to Northeastern. There he developed his baseball skills to the point of being taken with the 10th pick overall in the 1998 draft. He also cultivated a love for books, partly inspired by brainy brother Pedro...Single.

Education:

- High School: Haverhill High School, Graduated '95

- College: Wright State (Ohio) University in 1996, and Northeastern in 1997-98. Had a 3.3 GPA as an

engineering major and came within a year of obtaining a degree in computer engineering.

- College Honors: (Northeastern): All-Tournament 1997 MVP; American East Player of the Week 04.05.98

Favorites

- Cereal: Corn Flakes

- Player as a kid: Ken Griffey Jr.

MLB Team History

- 1998 - 2001: Texas Rangers (originally drafted in 6/98)

- 2002 - July 6, 2002: Oakland A's (via trade Carlos Pena & Mike Venafro for Mario Ramos, Jason Hart, Ryan Ludwick, & Gerald Laird - Jan. 14, 2002)

- July 6, 2002 - (  ): Detroit Tigers (via three-team, seven-player deal on July 6: Jeff Weaver to NYY from DET, Ted Lilly, John–Ford Griffin, Jason Arnold to the OAK from NYY, Peña, Franklin German, and TBD to DET from OAK.)

Misc.

- He was named the MVP of the 1997 Cape Cod League.

- Pena was the 10th-overall pick in the 1998 draft, selected in the first round by the Rangers out of 

- Northeastern University.

- He was named the best defensive first baseman in the Florida State League in 1999.

- Carlos was 4th in Homeruns, 2nd in RBI's, 3rd in hits, 5th in Slugging Percentage, 3rd in Extra Base Hits and 1st in Runs Scored in the Texas League in 2000.

- Pena hit .325 for Class A Savannah after signing in '98, then put up the numbers you see below in '99-'01. 

- Rated No. 11 in 2001 Top 100 Prospects list put out by "Baseball America."

- He was selected as the Rangers Top Prospect in 2001 by Baseball America. 

- One of just four players to get a Grade A in the "2002 Minor League Scouting Notebook."

- He was traded to Oakland in January in an exchange of prospects, and will replace Jason Giambi at first base for the Athletics.

Health record
    Pena has had no serious injuries. He was bothered throughout the first half in 2001 by a sore ribcage and a tender hamstring, which contributed to his weak first half production. But the injuries healed without long-term problems.

Performance
    Pena's numbers for the last two years have been excellent. He's posted OPS marks well above league average in both Double-A and Triple-A, slugging over .500 at both stops, with very high on-base percentages. He has yet to breach the .300 barrier in a full season, but you can't beat the .400+ OBP, which is more important than the batting average. His high doubles totals indicate that his home run power should develop beyond where it already is. Pena's statistical profile indicates that he is ready for major league action now, an assessment with which scouts agree.

Scouting report
    Pena has a smooth swing with a slight lift. He shows plus power to all fields, capable of pulling pitches or going the opposite way, as needed. His strike zone judgment is excellent; he draws lots of walks, and while he does strike out quite a bit, it is not expected to become a problem. He does have some trouble with breaking stuff from southpaws, but that is to be expected given his age. He should overcome that in time. Pena runs well for a big guy, and is a fine defensive first baseman. He will make errors, but has much more range than the average first-sacker, and could be a Gold Glove candidate eventually. Scouts praise his work ethic, intelligence, and steadiness under pressure, qualities that will help him deal with the pressure of replacing Giambi.

What to expect
    Pena will be one of the main candidates for American League Rookie of the Year. His job in Oakland is guaranteed, and he seems well-suited to standing up to the pressure of replacing a superstar, at least as well as any rookie can be suited to such a task. He seems unlikely to hit for a tremendous batting average at this point, but his power production and on-base abilities should shine. Carlos hit .258/.361/.500 in his brief tenure with the Rangers last September, and should put up similar numbers in full-time play this year. Given his age and athletic ability, he'll grow beyond that as he enters his prime seasons.

Contact Info.