Brayan Pena

by SC raysfan on May 24, 2008 12:49 PM EDT

It looks as if Brayan Pena a Catcher/1B/DH recently of the Atlanta Braves has been designated for assignment. Here is another great opportunity for the Rays to pick up a guy that would be the perfect backup catcher for us as well as being a great contact hitter that can consistently put the ball in play. He is someone that I have been tracking for a long time but never thought would be available simply for a waiver claim! Some scouts have even thought that if given the chance he could be a decent everyday type player. We don't need a starter of course but Brayan could hold the fort down as our backup for years until we get or develop or draft a replacement. He might even do better than to hold down the fort. He in my opinion is better than Gimenez. I'm really hoping that Andrew makes the move to claim him and even though I like Shawn Riggans I don't think he is the long term answer even as only a backup guy.

This post was written by a member of the DRaysBay community and does not necessarily express the views or opinions of DRaysBay staff.

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Comparison?

I haven’t seen Pena play and don’t know what kind of catcher he is, but I am curious what you see in him that makes him a better option than Riggans. He is a switch hitter and 2 years younger, so that is an advantage, but looking at their minor league numbers they seem pretty much the same player except that Riggans has a bit more power. I am not disagreeing, just wondering what you like about him more than Riggans.

by bobr on May 24, 2008 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

I just read somewhere

That he couldn’t stick at catcher, I need to find the place I saw it at though.

"I've seen many, many blue skies turn gray, but the sun will eventually return, and so will I. So will I." - Carlos Pena

by R.J. Anderson on May 24, 2008 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Comparison

There is not a perfect comparison but 2 guys that are used to present the overall view of Brayan are Monterro of the D’backs and Torrealba of the Rockies. Monterro is the closest to him in my opinion. The reason that I like B. Pena over Riggo is due to his ability to hit for average, hit from both sides of the plate and the fact that he can pinch hit and play more field positions (I think he even played some corner outfield for Richmond) In the big leagues he is more likely to hit around .275 which is quite a bit over my most optomistic hopes for Riggans.

SC raysfan

by SC raysfan on May 24, 2008 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

Same question

Even if you think BA is really a significant factor in making the decision, I don’t know why you are more confident that he can hit for a decent average than Riggans can. In 2039 minor league ABs, Pena’s hit .303. His line is .303/.350/.391. In 1662 ABs, Riggans hit .292. The line is .292/.352/.454. Does the 11 point BA difference really suggest Pena will hit better, especially given slight OBP and significant slugging numbers of Riggan. Montero’s minor league numbers seem closer to Riggans than to Pena.

Again, this is not disagreement. I have no idea what Pena can do. I just don’t see the advantage from the numbers I am reading.

by bobr on May 24, 2008 2:36 PM EDT reply actions

a .275 BA for a catcher

is starter material. I dont know how you can project that type of BA for a guy who has hit .228 with a .252 OBP and 4 walks in 127 ML at bats stretched over 4 years.

Why would we give up all the time we’ve spent developing Riggans for this guy? Riggans doesnt seem to be great by any stretch, but I dont see how this guy is better.

Plus, Riggans was defensive catcher of the year in AAA, dont forget that. Riggans only has 51 ABs, and he already has the same amount of walks (4) and more home runs than Pena has had in 127 ABs. Riggans is a very cerebral catcher, despite a couple mental gaffes in the 1st few ML games of his career. I like Riggans, and Im not seeing how thi sguy is good enough to replace him

by blazinrayz on May 24, 2008 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

I am still haunted by the game where

guy on first attempts to steal second in a 3-ball count. Ball 4 comes down, but Riggs pops up and fires to second only to overthrow and guy goes to third. That just seems like one of the more boneheaded things you can do as a catcher. One play should never define a guy, but I will never forget that when the discussion turns to Riggs.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on May 27, 2008 4:28 PM EDT reply actions