PROSPECT: Erick Pena, OF, Kansas City Royals
ANALYSIS: One of the elite prospects in the 2019 international signing period, Peña was an impressive figure as a 16-year-old signee, standing 6'2" and 200 pounds and looking more like an NFL safety in uniform than a pubescent Dominican outfielder.
The fall instructional league performance in 2020 was the first look that prospect folks got at Peña, and he looked great, driving up his prospect status. The problem is that he's not been able to live up to that hype, and a lack of contact is a major reason why.
This season, the Royals outfield prospect is repeating Single-A ball with Columbia in the Carolina League, and he's hitting worse in his second go-round at the level, leading all of the minor leagues with a 58.2% strikeout rate while slashing .093/.269/.296. In 549 plate appearances, Peña has struck out 39.5% of the time.
VERDICT: There is no reason at all to own Peña at this point, despite the impressive raw athleticism.
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