The former first-round draft pick (10th overall in 1998) is already
with his third team in that short time. A three-way deal with the
Yankees and A's sent him to Detroit last season, where he will be the
everyday first baseman this year.

Pena started the season hot last year, and then was sent to the
minors after struggling in May. His final major league stats for
2002 looked like this: .242 AVG, .764 OPS, 19 HR, 52 RBI, 43 R, 2 SB
in 397 AB (but factor in his minor league numbers, and he hit 29 HRs
and had 85 RBIs).

Pena possesses an enviable package of skills. He has power to all
fields, and decent speed. His Achilles heel last season was his
propensity to prolonged slumps. This streakiness is beared out by
his poor plate discipline (41 BB / 111 K, .37 ratio…pretty bad),
which lessens the chances that he will be a .300 hitter (unless he
improves, which is certainly possible, given he is only 24 years old).

Word out of Tigers camp is that Pena concentrated on improving his
strength and quickness this offseason, and has been working closely
with hitting coach Kirk Gibson this spring. Count on him to improve
from last year, and to have additional value due to simply getting
more at-bats as well.

Temper your expectations for a huge breakout with the knowledge that
he plays half his games at Comerica Park, which was tied for 23rd in
the league in runs per game last season (although it should be noted
that the team brought in the left-centerfield wall from 395 to 370
feet, but it remains to be seen how much of an impact that will have).