How Brewers Shortstop Luis Peña Learned To Love Baseball & Became A Top 100 Prospect
Image credit: Luis Peña (Photo by Bill Mitchell)
Luis Peña isn’t afraid to admit it: Unlike most kids growing up in the Dominican Republic, baseball didn’t capture his attention.
While others were dreaming of the big leagues, he was more focused on simply being a kid—running through the neighborhood, laughing with friends and soaking up the carefree moments of childhood.
His older brothers, however, did play baseball. And they would always try to convince the younger Peña to join them at the field. Luis would always turn them down, until one day, he finally gave in.
The moment Peña picked up a bat and fielded his first ground ball, something clicked. There was an instant connection, a spark he hadn’t felt before. From that day on, he started showing up more often, gradually trading his carefree afternoons for time on the diamond.
Peña’s talent quickly became impossible to overlook. Those around him began urging him to try out for the renowned Josue Mateo Baseball Academy. It was at that tryout where his raw, untapped potential truly came to light.
And it left coaches and onlookers impressed by what he could become.
“When I was at the academy, I knew I was going to be a professional baseball player,” Peña told Baseball America in Spanish. “I wasn’t afraid during the tryout. With my tools and the right training, I really knew it could happen.”
Now 18 years old and through two seasons with the Brewers, Peña is already showing flashes of what made people believe in him in the first place. As a prospect, he now ranks third in the Brewers’ system and 30th in the BA Top 100 Prospects list.
With the way he’s performed so far, it’s easy to see why he bet on himself—and why that bet is starting to pay off.
Peña had dominant professional debut in the Dominican Summer League last year, winning the DSL batting title (.393), placing fourth in the league in OPS (1.040) and tying for second in stolen bases (39) with a 91% success rate.
While Peña may not be hitting for as high of an average this season, he’s unlocked a different—and more dangerous—part of his game: power. In 2024, his lone home run came on an inside-the-park sprint. This year, he’s left no doubt, launching seven homers already with exit velocities topping out over 105 mph.
Peña attributes his success to the work he put in during his first offseason as a professional. That winter, he returned to the same academy he developed to remain grounded.
“I really wanted to get stronger this year,” Peña said. “I really take this opportunity to play with the Brewers (seriously). I want to be the best version of myself possible.”
Peña is part of a standout 2024 international signing class—one that’s quickly making its mark across the Brewers’ system. Jorge Quintana is already showing promise in the Arizona Complex League, Jesús Made is one of the most exciting prospects in baseball and José Anderson earned a quick promotion to Low-A.
Despite the internal competition, Peña says the bond among the group runs deep.
“They’re great teammates and they work really hard, too,” Peña said. “While we are also competing against each other at times, we have a lot of respect for each other and have a close bond.”
Now, with a growing toolbox and a mindset rooted in humility and hard work, Peña is proving he’s more than just a flash of potential—he’s a player with a future.
What started as a reluctant trip to the neighborhood field has turned into a rising professional career. And while the road ahead is long, Peña is running toward it with the same quiet determination that’s fueled his climb from the streets of the Dominican Republic to the Brewers organization.
