Mets Minor League Scouting Report: Francisco Pena, C

Scouting the Sally - Francisco Pena, C, NYM

Francisco Pena (1-3, 1 2B) - Signed as an International Free Agent by the Mets for $750,ooo, Francisco Pena is head and shoulders the best position prospect on the Savannah Sand Gnats roster. Unfortunately, this isn't saying much! Currently a bit of an enigma in the Mets system, People see a .268/.310/.387 line out of a 6'3", 230 lb. 18-year old and can't seem to figure out whether those numbers are boom or blah. While I'm not sure I know either, I do know that Pena looks to be in much better shape than at this time last season.

• Pena looked his listed 6'3", 230 lbs.
• Sported HUGE lower half; Lost the belly he had in 2007
  
• Physique looked closer to physical maturity than Jason Heyward or Freddie Freeman
• Needs to learn how to better use his size since there's not much projection left in his build
• Currently has slider bat speed
• Jammed badly during a couple of at bats
• Behind on every fastball he swung at
• Double down the LF line was off of a hanging curveball
• Moves well behind the plate for such a big catcher
• Made diving catch on a bunt attempt behind home plate
  
• Did not show much of his arm in between innings, but it was easy to tell the arm strength was there
• Slow runner; Will struggle to be even an average runner for the position

Pena looks like a ballplayer and certainly has the pedigree, but there's just something about him that makes me wonder why he isn't more at this point. I know he is young, but he seems a little lackadaisical and fades into the background in games I see him play. He just doesn't do anything to stand out. I read about his "star" power on other blogs, but I just don't see it. Major league average maybe, but his bat will need to improve a ton to get to that point. Fortunately, he has a few years to make that happen, but there's a saying in baseball that "you can't teach bat speed."

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