Hassan Pena

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #30 prospect in 2011
  Pena worked as a closer in Cuba before defecting. He spent a year at Palm Beach (Fla.) CC, and the Nationals signed him for $149,500 as a 13th-round pick in 2006. They tried to make him a starter, but he was plagued by shoulder soreness until he moved to the bullpen in 2009. He pitched a career-high 71 innings in 2010, then dominated in the Puerto Rican League. Pena's quality four-pitch repertoire is highlighted by a 90-94 mph fastball and an average-to-plus curveball that rates as one of the best in the system. He also throws a solid slider and changeup, though he throws the latter sparingly. Consistency is the key for Pena. He has a long arm action and his mechanics get out of whack occasionally, inhibiting his command. He could be ready to compete for a big league job some time in 2011, though he'll likely start the year in Triple-A. He profiles as a middle reliever.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #26 prospect in 2010
  Pena defected from Cuba and spent a year at Palm Beach (Fla.) CC before the Nationals signed him as a 13throunder in 2006 for $149,500. His pro career has been marked by shoulder issues. Tendinitis delayed his pro debut in 2006, and he had minor offseason surgery to shave off a small spur near his rotator cuff before 2007. Shoulder soreness continued to hamper him in 2008, and he had another cleanup surgery before last season. When Pena has been healthy, he has shown electric stuff. He attacks hitters with a 90-94 mph fastball with good life, and his above-average power curveball is one of the best in the system. He also features an average changeup. Some of Pena's shoulder issues have been caused by his mechanics. In the past, his arm dragged behind in his delivery, putting stress on his shoulder. His arm action is still a little long in the back, but he has made progress cleaning it up. Pena worked as a closer in Cuba prior to defecting, and the Nationals tried to make him a starter for the first few years of his career before moving him to the bullpen last year. He thrived there, going 2-0, 0.49 in 10 appearances, and the Nationals will keep him in a relief role moving forward. Pena will advance to Double-A in 2010. If he can stay healthy, he could jump to the big leagues quickly as a reliever. He has the stuff to be a power setup man in the majors.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #26 prospect in 2008
  Pena defected from Cuba and spent a year at Palm Beach (Fla.) CC before the Nationals signed him as a 13th-round pick for a $149,500 bonus. He tried to come back too soon from shoulder tendinitis in 2006, causing it to flare up again and preventing him from making his pro debut that summer. Then he had minor offseason surgery to shave off a small spot near his rotator cuff, but he came back strong and showed electric stuff last summer. Pena's best pitch is a sharp-breaking curveball that grades at plus when it's on, and his 90-94 mph fastball has good life. He also has good feel for a changeup that projects as a solid-average offering. Pena walked nearly as many as he struck out in 2007 because he tries too hard to make the perfect pitch and often falls behind in counts. He has a tendency to fly open in his delivery, perhaps because he's trying to overthrow, which puts stress on his shoulder and hurts his command. When he stays balanced and on a straight line toward home plate, he's very effective. Pena has enough stuff to eventually pitch in a big league rotation, perhaps even as a solid No. 3 starter, but he has plenty of work to do. He'll move up to low Class A in 2008.