Phillies sticking with the high school and upside route with HS RHP Jose Pena in the 6th round.
Pena is a 6’3″ RHP who like many of their picks, is young, having turned 18 on July 8th. His fastball has ticked up, touching 96-97 but has sat more in the lowers 90s with big spin. The curveball has great spin and looks like it could be a good pitch for him. His changeup has barely seen use, and needs a lot of work. There is definitely more upside here, but he has all of the usual caveats around HS pitchers where the command is worse than the control and the third pitch needs work.
The Phillies have been going on a string of what looks to be underslot picks to this point, and with a slot value of $284.2k in the 6th round, Pena is almost certainly going to need an otherslot bonus to make it happen.
Phillies going prep arm again in Jose Peña from Tampa. Grabbed more velocity this spring up to 96-97, consistent development over last year+, good spin metrics on breaker, strikes need to continue coming. #PGDraft
— Brian Sakowski (@Sakowski_GoDuke) July 12, 2021
2021 RHP Jose Pena #FIU
Physical, athletic 6-3, 205 lb frame
Pena had all 3 pitches working tonight with high spinning action despite the lack of defensive help behind him.
FB: 91-93 T94 (2400-2566)
CB: 75-77 (2640)
CH: 76-77@PBRFlorida @TPrep_Athletics @NathanRode #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/w807DEQpG3— Rocco Iervasi Jr. (@rocco_iervasi) March 3, 2021
One of my favorite sleepers in the 2021 class, Jose Pena turns 18 today.#FIU commit sits 95-97 T99, with 90% efficiency and RPMs consistently over 2400. CB remains a 🔨 in the high 70s w/ 12/6 shape. CH looking to be a legit 3rd pitch. Physical frame at 6’3”, 210. #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/UUbZwzPfu4
— Ian Smith (@FlaSmitty) July 8, 2021