Catcher Brayan Pena Claimed Off Waivers from Braves
Published on May 30, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
KANSAS CITY, MO (May 30, 2008) - The Kansas City Royals have claimed catcher Brayan Pena off outright waivers from the Atlanta Braves. To make room for Pena on the 40-man roster, the Royals transferred pitcher Luke Hudson to the 60-day Disabled List. Pena, whose first name is pronounced "Brian", is expected to join the Royals later today and wear number 36, at which time a corresponding 25-man roster move will be made.
Pena, 26, a native of Havana, Cuba, is a switch-hitting, right-handed throwing backstop who was hitting .286 (4-for-14) with three runs scored, one double, one walk and two strikeouts this season for the Braves, all as a pinch hitter. He has yet to appear in the field this season, but has not committed an error in 137 total chances as a catcher in his big league career. He also made a three-inning stint at third base, handling one chance.
The 5-foot-11, 210-pounder is a .228 (29-for-127) hitter in parts of the past four seasons for Atlanta. He has five doubles, two homers and 12 RBI in his brief career. He is a career .303 (618-for-2040) hitter with 110 doubles, 12 triples, 15 home runs and 222 RBI in 572 career minor league games. In that time, he drew 150 walks against 213 strikeouts and was rated as one of the Braves top prospects by Baseball America.
Pena, who defected from Cuba in 2000 while on a trip to Venezuela, will become the ninth Cuban-born player to appear for the Royals, joining Royals Hall of Fame second baseman Cookie Rojas, infielder Jackie Hernandez, utility player Eli Marrero, pitchers Aurelio Monteagudo and Zip Sanchez , outfielders Jose Cardenal and Sandy Valdespino and catcher Nelson Santovenia. He is in no relation to Royals shortstop Tony Pena, Jr.
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