MWL1 Burlington Bees

McConnell to Idaho Falls, Pena Joins Bees

Published on July 13, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Burlington Bees News Release


Geneva, IL (July 13, 2006) "" The Kansas City Royals have re-assigned Burlington Bees shortstop Chris McConnell to the Idaho Falls Chukars, the organization's short-season affiliate in the Pioneer League. Infielder Omar Pena will join the Bees today in Kane County to fill the roster spot, keeping the Bees at 24 active players.

McConnell is batting .172 with a homer and 18 RBI in 69 games this season while serving as the team's primary shortstop. He has served the team as a solid defender up the middle and is tied for the team lead with ten sacrifice bunts, which ties him for ninth on the franchise's single-season list. McConnell hit .331 with six home runs and 39 RBI in 70 games with the Chukars last season and led the Pioneer League with eight triples. He was named to the Pioneer League post-season All-Star team and was voted the #15 prospect in the circuit. Coming into the season, he was ranked 7th on the Royals Top 30 Prospect List according to Baseball America. The Royals drafted McConnell in the 9th round of the 2004 draft out of Delsea High School in Franklinville, NJ.

The Royals purchased the contract of Pena from the Worcester Tornadoes of the independent Can-Am League on February 8, 2006 and this will be his first regular season assignment within the organization. Pena was originally drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 16th Round of the 2003 draft out of Northeastern University in Massachusetts where he set the school record for doubles (45) and was among the all-time leaders in school history in games played and hits. He made his pro debut with New Jersey in the New York-Penn League in 2003 and hit .236 in 63 games. He played with Peoria in the Midwest League in 2004 and hit .278 with three home runs and 19 RBI in 63 games and earned a late season call-up to Palm Beach in the Florida State League. With Worcester last year, Pena hit .271 with 15 home runs and 57 RBI in 89 games and helped the Tornadoes to a Can-Am League Championship in their very first season. He was named as the shortstop on the post-season All-Star Team. Pena is the younger brother of former Major League 1B Carlos Pena who played with the Detroit Tigers the last three years and is currently playing with Triple-A Columbus in the International League.

Pena will be in uniform and available tonight when the Bees continue their series with the Kane County Cougars at 6:30 at Elfstrom Stadium. The Bees will try to extend a five-game winning streak sending Mario Santiago (1-1, 3.75) to the mound against RH Jared Lansford (7-5, 3.77) of the Cougars. The game will be broadcast live on KBUR AM 1490 and KBKB AM 1360 with the pre-game show starting at 6:10.

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