It's time we had an honest conversation about Astros' Jeremy Pena
WELL SAID
28 July 2023
The Astros took a calculated risk when they decided to let Carlos Correa walk in free agency and replace him with rookie shortstop Jeremy Pena. Pena went on to be the ALCS and World Series MVP for the 2022 World Champion Houston Astros. What a start to a career.
This season, Pena has struggled to replicate the way he was swinging the bat in the postseason, hitting just .235 for the 'Stros. Many fans and media members are disappointed with the production, with some looking to include Pena in trade packages with the deadline approaching.
Let's all just take a moment and relax. How quickly we forget. Pena will be just fine, and there's no reason for him to be going anywhere. It's only his second season in the big leagues, he has time to figure things out. His difficulty with hitting sliders has been an ongoing issue, and it's caused him to struggle with fastballs as well.
Pena's performance in the finale of the Rangers series showed us some encouraging signs. He went 2-4 with a double and single off of fastballs. And he's back in the No. 2 spot in the lineup, where he's been most productive.
And just for curiosity’s sake, how is the Astros former shortstop Carlos Correa playing this season? Would you be surprised to learn he has a lower batting average than Pena? Correa is currently hitting .228 for the Twins.
Be sure to check out the video above as we discuss Pena's underwhelming performance this year, and share our thoughts on why there's no reason to panic about Pena moving forward.
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How Jeremy Peña’s breakout season comes with a twist for Astros
Jun 24, 2025, 4:31 pm
Jeremy Peña is putting together the best season of his career, and it’s time to start asking some serious questions about what comes next.
After a strong rookie campaign and a magical playoff run in 2022, Peña has reemerged as one of the best shortstops in baseball. His numbers are now right in line with, and in some cases better than, Bobby Witt Jr., the player many consider the gold standard at the position. But Peña's resurgence isn't the only headline, he’s now officially signed with Scott Boras, baseball’s most powerful agent, signaling that a major payday could be on the horizon.
That decision raises real questions about Peña’s future in Houston. With just two years left on his deal, is he heading toward the same path as other homegrown stars who have ultimately walked in free agency? Or will the Astros finally reverse course and invest long-term in one of their own? The team’s payroll philosophy, built around letting expensive veterans leave while developing new talent, has worked for years. But Peña’s rise is testing just how far that system can stretch.
As his star continues to rise, the pressure is mounting. Will Houston commit to keeping him, or let another one slip away?
Be sure to watch the video below as ESPN Houston's Paul Gallant weighs in!
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