Friday, April 26, 2002
Pena brings out 'ahhs' with BP blasts
By John Fay jfay@enquirer.com
The Cincinnati Enquirer
You have to be pretty impressive to get a bunch of major-leaguers shaking their heads in disbelief during batting practice sessions. But Wily Mo Pena did that Thursday night.
Pena, a 20-year-old outfielder, hit two over the big black wall in center field and one off a light tower at Great American Ball Park. The towers are about 50 feet above the left-field wall.
“When he hits the ball, it's amazing how quickly the ball looks tiny,” said Ray Knight, who was the batting practice pitcher. “It's like a golf ball.”
Pena is on the disabled list for Double-A Chattanooga because of a pulled quadriceps and is here rehabilitating.
Thursday's session was typical, said Austin Kearns, who played with Pena at Chattanooga.
“It's disgusting,” Kearns said. “He always hits them that far. When he takes BP, everyone stops and watches.”
Pena hit .264 with 26 homers and 113 RBI for Single-A Dayton last year. He also struck out 177 times in 511 at-bats. Whether he learns to hit the breaking ball or not will determine whether he's a successful big-leaguer or a batting practice legend.
Pena has to make the big-league club next year, or the Reds risk losing him. The New York Yankees signed him to a five-year, $3.7 million major-league contract as a 17-year-old. The Reds traded Drew Henson and Michael Coleman for Pena before last season.
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Pena brings out 'ahhs' with BP blasts
