{{short description|Dominican baseball player (born 1997)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox baseball biography |name = Jeremy Peña |image = 2025 Astros-Cardinals Apr 14 Jeremy Peña.png |caption = Peña with the Houston Astros in 2025 |team = Houston Astros |number = 3 |position = Shortstop |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|9|22}} |birth_place = Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |bats = Right |throws = Right |debutleague = MLB |debutdate = April 7 |debutyear = 2022 |debutteam = Houston Astros |statleague = MLB |statyear = May 30, 2026 |stat1label = Batting average |stat1value = .271 |stat2label = Home runs |stat2value = 67 |stat3label = Runs batted in |stat3value = 255 |stat4label = Stolen bases |stat4value = 67 |teams = *Houston Astros ({{mlby|2022}}–present) |awards = *All-Star (2025) *World Series champion ({{wsy|2022}}) *World Series MVP (2022) *ALCS MVP ({{alcsy|2022}}) *Gold Glove Award (2022) }}
'''Jeremy Joan Peña''' (born September 22, 1997) is a Dominican professional baseball shortstop for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He attended the University of Maine and played college baseball for the Black Bears. The Astros selected Peña in the third round of the 2018 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut in 2022.
In 2022, Peña became the first rookie shortstop to win a Gold Glove Award and the first to hit a home run in the World Series. During the Astros' 2022 championship run, Peña was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of both the American League Championship Series (ALCS) and World Series (WS), becoming the first American League (AL) player to earn both awards in the same year. He was the youngest position player to win the World Series MVP award. In 2025, Peña was named to his first All-Star game.
==Early life and amateur career== Jeremy Peña was born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, before he and his family moved to Providence, Rhode Island, when he was nine years old.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kyle |first=Brad |date=September 4, 2019 |title=Like Father, Like Infielder: Astros' Jeremy Pena Follows Dad's Footsteps |url=https://therunnersports.com/like-father-like-infielder-houston-astros-jeremy-pena-follows-footsteps-of-cardinals-geronimo-pena/ |access-date=March 19, 2024 |website=The Runner Sports}}</ref> His father, Gerónimo, is a former infielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Indians from 1990 to 1996.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Batterson |first=Steve |date=May 1, 2019 |title=Like father, like son for Bandits' Peña |url=https://qctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/minor/midwest-league/like-father-like-son-for-bandits-pena/article_fa287dc3-ff33-521d-874f-2e531b847ce6.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925231245/https://qctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/minor/midwest-league/like-father-like-son-for-bandits-pena/article_fa287dc3-ff33-521d-874f-2e531b847ce6.html |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |access-date=September 25, 2019 |work=The Quad-City Times}}</ref> Jeremy attended Classical High School in Providence, playing baseball and running track and cross country. In 2014, his junior year, he batted .352.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/high-school/post/_/id/37232/at-classical-r-i-pena-attracting-a-growing-crowd|title=At Classical (R.I.), Pena attracting a crowd|date=May 15, 2015|website=ESPN.com|access-date=September 25, 2019|archive-date=September 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925231244/https://www.espn.com/blog/boston/high-school/post/_/id/37232/at-classical-r-i-pena-attracting-a-growing-crowd|url-status=live}}</ref> As a senior in 2015, he hit .390 with two home runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://goblackbears.com/sports/baseball/roster/jeremy-pena/3978|title=Jeremy Pena – Baseball|website=University of Maine Athletics|access-date=June 13, 2020|archive-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613214443/https://goblackbears.com/sports/baseball/roster/jeremy-pena/3978|url-status=live}}</ref> Following his senior year, he was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 39th round of the 2015 MLB draft, but he did not sign. Instead, he enrolled with the University of Maine where he played college baseball.
As a freshman at Maine in 2016, Peña started and played in 55 games, batting .283 with one home run, 15 runs batted in (RBIs), and 11 stolen bases,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://bangordailynews.com/2016/05/31/sports/baseball/umaine-baseball-coach-confident-of-turnaround-after-another-losing-season/ |title=UMaine baseball coach confident of turnaround after another losing season|first=Larry|last=Mahoney |date=May 31, 2016 |website=Bangor Daily News |access-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502210158/https://bangordailynews.com/2016/05/31/sports/baseball/umaine-baseball-coach-confident-of-turnaround-after-another-losing-season/|url-status=live}}</ref> earning a spot on the America East Conference All-Rookie Team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bangordailynews.com/2017/02/16/sports/baseball/coach-umaine-baseball-team-should-be-noticeably-improved/|title=Coach: UMaine baseball team should be noticeably improved|first=Larry|last=Mahoney|date=February 16, 2017|website=Bangor Daily News|access-date=May 2, 2021|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502210201/https://bangordailynews.com/2017/02/16/sports/baseball/coach-umaine-baseball-team-should-be-noticeably-improved/|url-status=live}}</ref> That summer, he played in the New England Collegiate Baseball League with the Plymouth Pilgrims. In 2017, Peña's sophomore year, he started 54 games and hit .319 with six home runs and 32 RBIs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bangordailynews.com/2018/04/05/sports/baseball/slick-fielding-umaine-shortstop-may-be-following-his-dad-to-the-big-leagues/|title=Slick-fielding UMaine shortstop may be following his dad to the big leagues|first=Larry|last=Mahoney|date=April 5, 2018|website=Bangor Daily News|access-date=May 2, 2021|archive-date=May 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502210156/https://bangordailynews.com/2018/04/05/sports/baseball/slick-fielding-umaine-shortstop-may-be-following-his-dad-to-the-big-leagues/|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the season, he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League with the Chatham Anglers, earning All-Star honors.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pointstreak.com/baseball/player.html?playerid=1064604&seasonid=30631 |title=#14 Jeremy Pena - Profile |publisher=pointstreak.com |accessdate=January 28, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://capecodchronicle.com/en/5229/sports/1860/Cape-League-All-Stars-Set-To-Shine-On-Saturday-Cape-Cod-Baseball-League-Sports.htm|title=Cape League All-Stars Set To Shine On Saturday|website=Cape Cod Chronicle|date=July 19, 2017 |access-date=June 13, 2020|archive-date=September 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925231252/https://capecodchronicle.com/en/5229/sports/1860/Cape-League-All-Stars-Set-To-Shine-On-Saturday-Cape-Cod-Baseball-League-Sports.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, as a junior, he once again started 54 games, hitting .308/.393/.469 with five home runs, 28 RBIs, and ten stolen bases, earning American East Second-Team honors.<ref>{{cite news|author=Iris Ramirez |url=https://www.overtimeheroics.net/2020/04/22/houston-astros-get-to-know-jeremy-pena/ |title=Houston Astros: Introducing Jeremy Peña – Overtime Heroics |newspaper=Overtime Heroics |publisher=Overtimeheroics.net |date=April 22, 2020 |accessdate=April 8, 2022}}</ref>
==Professional career== ===Minor leagues=== The Houston Astros selected Peña in the third round of the 2018 MLB draft.<ref>{{Cite news |date=June 5, 2018 |title=Providence's Jeremy Peña drafted by Astros |url=https://www.providencejournal.com/sports/20180605/providences-jeremy-pena-drafted-by-astros |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925231246/https://www.providencejournal.com/sports/20180605/providences-jeremy-pena-drafted-by-astros |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |access-date=September 25, 2019 |work=The Providence Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite newspaper |url=https://www.pressherald.com/2018/06/05/umaine-ss-jeremy-pena-selected-by-astros-in-third-round/ |title=Sports Digest: Two UMaine players selected in 2018 MLB amateur draft |date=June 5, 2018 |access-date=September 25, 2019 |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925231245/https://www.pressherald.com/2018/06/05/umaine-ss-jeremy-pena-selected-by-astros-in-third-round/|url-status=live}}</ref> Peña signed with Houston and made his professional debut with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the Class A Short Season New York-Penn League, batting .250 with one home run and ten RBIs over 36 games, earning All-Star honors.<ref>{{cite web|title=2018 NYPL All-Stars Announced |url=https://www.milb.com/news/2018-nypl-all-stars-announced-289152042 |access-date=June 13, 2020 |website=Minor League Baseball |language=en |archive-date=June 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613214441/https://www.milb.com/news/2018-nypl-all-stars-announced-289152042|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, Peña began the year with the Quad Cities River Bandits of the Class A Midwest League, with whom he was named an All-Star, before being promoted to the Fayetteville Woodpeckers of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League in June.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://929theticket.com/pena-selected-for-mwl-all-star-game/ |title=Peña selected for MWL All Star Game |first=Dale |last=Duff |website=92.9 The Ticket |date=June 14, 2019 |access-date=September 25, 2019 |archive-date=September 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925231242/https://929theticket.com/pena-selected-for-mwl-all-star-game/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite newspaper |url=https://bangordailynews.com/2019/07/15/sports/baseball/ex-umaine-shortstop-climbing-minor-league-ladder/ |title=Ex-UMaine shortstop climbing minor league ladder |first=Larry |last=Mahoney |date=July 15, 2019 |work=Bangor Daily News |access-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210502210155/https://bangordailynews.com/2019/07/15/sports/baseball/ex-umaine-shortstop-climbing-minor-league-ladder/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wabi.tv/content/sports/Former-UMaine-short-stop-Pena-promoted-to-class-A-advanced-league-511984942.html |title=Former UMaine short stop Pena promoted to Class A-Advanced league|first=Eric|last=Gullickson|website=www.wabi.tv|date=June 29, 2019 |access-date=September 25, 2019|archive-date=September 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925231245/https://www.wabi.tv/content/sports/Former-UMaine-short-stop-Pena-promoted-to-class-A-advanced-league-511984942.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Over 109 games between the two teams, he slashed .303/.385/.440 with seven home runs, 54 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kuhlmann |first=Landan |date=August 30, 2021 |title=Skeeters spotlight: Jeremy Pena |url=https://www.fortbendstar.com/sports/skeeters-spotlight-jeremy-pena/article_1f3b89f4-09c1-11ec-a552-6b7c566073e2.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901025200/https://www.fortbendstar.com/sports/skeeters-spotlight-jeremy-pena/article_1f3b89f4-09c1-11ec-a552-6b7c566073e2.html |archive-date=September 1, 2021 |access-date=September 1, 2021 |website=Fort Bend Star}}</ref> After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League with the Peoria Javelinas.<ref name="oursportscentral1">{{cite web|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/jeremy-pena-and-jojanse-torres-selected-to-join-arizona-fall-league/n-5546117|title=Jeremy Pena and Jojanse Torres Selected to Join Arizona Fall League|date=August 28, 2019|website=OurSports Central|access-date=September 25, 2019|archive-date=September 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925231249/https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/jeremy-pena-and-jojanse-torres-selected-to-join-arizona-fall-league/n-5546117|url-status=live}}</ref>
Peña did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite news |last=Todd |first=Jeff |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/06/2020-minor-league-season-will-be-canceled.html |title=2020 Minor League season canceled |work=MLB Trade Rumors |date=June 30, 2020 |access-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-date=April 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427204406/https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/06/2020-minor-league-season-will-be-canceled.html |url-status=live}}</ref> On April 21, 2021, it was announced that Peña would undergo surgery on his left wrist, causing him to miss part of the season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Franco |first1=Anthony |last2=Byrne |first2=Connor |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/west-notes-solano-crawford-rendon-fiers-pena.html |title=West notes: Solano, Crawford, Rendon, Fiers, Peña |work=MLB Trade Rumors |date=April 21, 2021 |access-date=May 2, 2021 |archive-date=April 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427204054/https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/west-notes-solano-crawford-rendon-fiers-pena.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He was activated off the injured list in late August, and was assigned to the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Triple-A West.<ref>{{cite newspaper |last=Lerner |first=Danielle |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Astros-prospect-Jeremy-Pena-AAA-Sugar-Land-16418792.php |title=Astros shortstop prospect Jeremy Peña assigned to Class AAA Sugar Land |work=Houston Chronicle |date=August 28, 2021 |access-date=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=September 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901025130/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Astros-prospect-Jeremy-Pena-AAA-Sugar-Land-16418792.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Over 30 games, he slashed .287/.346/.598 with ten home runs and 19 RBIs.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lott |first=Thomas |url=https://www.lmtonline.com/sports/article/It-s-Jeremy-Pena-s-time-in-Houston-16606023.php |title=It's Jeremy Peña's time in Houston |work=Laredo Morning Times |publisher=Lmtonline.com |date=November 9, 2021 |access-date=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204150537/https://www.lmtonline.com/sports/article/It-s-Jeremy-Pena-s-time-in-Houston-16606023.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
Upon conclusion of the 2021–22 Dominican Professional Baseball League season, Peña was awarded a second consecutive Gold Glove at shortstop. In 30 games, he produced a .970 fielding percentage, 5.7 range factor, and nine double plays turned along with five errors.<ref>{{cite news |last=Van Doren |first=Kenny |url=https://climbingtalshill.com/2021/12/29/astros-prospect-jeremy-pena-wins-gold-glove-lidom/ |title=Astros prospect Jeremy Peña wins Gold Glove in LIDOM |work=Climbing Tal's Hill |date=December 29, 2021 |access-date=September 6, 2022}}</ref>
===Houston Astros===
====2022: Gold Glove Award, ALCS MVP, and World Series MVP==== On November 19, 2021, the Astros selected Peña's contract and added him to their 40-man roster.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rome |first=Chandler |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Astros-Jeremy-Pena-40-man-roster-Rule-5-deadline-16636073.php |title=Astros add prospect Jeremy Peña, others to 40-man roster ahead of Rule 5 deadline |work=Houston Chronicle |date=November 19, 2021 |accessdate=December 9, 2021 |archive-date=November 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211126084041/https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Astros-Jeremy-Pena-40-man-roster-Rule-5-deadline-16636073.php |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the departure of incumbent shortstop Carlos Correa via free agency, Peña was named starting shortstop during 2022 spring training.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rome |first=Chandler |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Jeremy-Pena-favorite-Astros-shortstop-17006384.php |title=With Carlos Correa in flux, Jeremy Peña is favorite to be Astros shortstop |work=Houston Chronicle |date=March 16, 2022 |access-date=April 8, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Kaplan |first=Jake |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3180452/2022/03/17/if-not-carlos-correa-then-who-on-jeremy-pena-the-depth-options-and-the-state-of-the-astros-at-shortstop/ |title=If not Carlos Correa, then who? On Jeremy Peña, the depth options and the state of the Astros at shortstop |magazine=The Athletic |date=March 17, 2022 |access-date=April 8, 2022}}</ref> He made his major league debut on Opening Day versus the Los Angeles Angels.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Young |first=Matt |date=April 7, 2022 |title=Astros rookie Jeremy Peña: Everything you need to know about the new guy |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Astros-rookie-Jeremy-Pena-bio-learn-more-shortstop-17065034.php |access-date=April 7, 2022 |work=Houston Chronicle}}</ref> On April 8, 2022, Peña hit his first major league home run while his parents were being interviewed during the broadcast.<ref name="g668">{{cite web | last=McTaggart | first=Brian | title=Jeremy Peña hits first homer as parents are interviewed | website=MLB.com | date=April 9, 2022 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jeremy-pena-hits-first-homer-as-parents-are-interviewed | access-date=February 16, 2025}}</ref> On April 24, he hit his first career walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning versus the Toronto Blue Jays, helping lead the Astros to an 8–7 win.<ref>{{Cite news |date=April 24, 2022 |title=Peña's 2-run homer in 10th leads Astros over Blue Jays 8–7 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401354485 |access-date=May 29, 2022 |work=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> On May 17, Peña hit the third of five Astros home runs in the second inning versus starter Nathan Eovaldi of the Boston Red Sox, tying the major league record for home runs hit by a team in one inning as the Astros rolled to a 13–4 victory.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rome |first=Chandler |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/Astros-bash-Red-Sox-single-inning-home-run-record-17180409.php |title=Boston bash: Astros' record-tying inning fuels rout of Red Sox |work=Houston Chronicle |date=May 18, 2022 |access-date=May 18, 2022 }}</ref>
thumb|right|Peña in 2022
On June 13, 2022, Peña sustained a left thumb injury versus the Texas Rangers and was placed on the 10-day injured list (IL).<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Williams |first=Madison |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2022/06/15/jeremy-pena-houston-astros-wont-swing-bat-at-least-a-week-dusty-baker |title=Jeremy Pena won't swing back for at least a week, Dusty Baker says |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=June 15, 2022 |access-date=June 18, 2022}}</ref> The Astros activated him on June 26.<ref name=espn062622>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401355323 |title=Yankees' Judge walks off Astros for 2nd time in 4 days |magazine=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |date=June 26, 2022 |access-date=June 27, 2022}}</ref> On July 3, Peña produced his both first career four-hit and multi-homer game, as well as his second career walk-off home run, sealing a 4–2 win over the Angels.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-strike-out-20-angels-in-walk-off-win |title=Peña walks it off with 2nd HR after Valdez, Astros fan 20 |last=McTaggart |first=Brian |work=MLB.com |date=July 3, 2022 |access-date=July 3, 2022}}</ref> The Astros made Peña their regular number 2 hitter during the final phase of the regular season to replace an injured Michael Brantley. Going into the last regular-season series versus the Philadelphia Phillies, the Astros had produced an incredible 41–6 record with Peña batting second in the lineup.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401356581 |title=Peña homers, drives in 3 to lead Astros over Rays 3–1 |work=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |date=October 2, 2022 |access-date=October 2, 2022}}</ref>
Over the 2022 regular season, Peña batted .253./289/.426 with 132 hits, 22 home runs, 63 RBIs, 72 runs scored, 11 stolen bases, 22 walks, 135 strikeouts, and had the lowest walk/strikeout ratio in the majors (0.16).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/splits-leaderboards |title=Splits leaderboards |website=FanGraphs |access-date=October 14, 2022}}</ref> He tied Correa for the franchise rookie record for most home runs by a shortstop. Peña also ranked second in home runs, fourth in hits, and fifth in runs scored and RBIs among major league rookies.<ref name=mctaggart100822>{{cite news |last=McTaggart |first=Brian |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/yordan-alvarez-leads-houston-bbwaa-2022-award-winners |title=Alvarez named Astros MVP by Houston BBWAA: Verlander named team Pitcher of the Year; Peña, Maldonado also honored |work=MLB.com |date=October 8, 2022 |access-date=October 9, 2022}}</ref> He had the fastest sprint speed on the Astros, at 29.4 feet per second.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/sprint_speed?min_season=2022&max_season=2022&position=&team=HOU&min=10&sort=7&sortDir=desc|title=Statcast Sprint Speed Leaderboard|website=baseballsavant.com}}</ref>
On defense, Peña ranked second in the American League (AL) in Defensive Wins Above Replacement (2.4, dWAR),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2022-batting-leaders.shtml |title=2022 American League batting leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref> third in the AL in errors committed (19), and third among AL shortstops in total zone runs (8).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2022-fielding-leaders.shtml |title=2022 American League fielding leaders |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 10, 2022}}</ref> He played 134 games at shortstop, starting 132 of them. He was graded 15 defensive runs better than “average” at shortstop.<ref name="t327">{{cite web | last=Kraczkowski | first=Kevin | title=Oops! All Astros: Jeremy Peña | website=The Crawfish Boxes | date=November 23, 2022 | url=https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2022/11/23/23474429/oops-all-astros-jeremy-pena | access-date=February 16, 2025}}</ref>
Making his postseason debut in the American League Division Series (ALDS), Peña singled to precede a Yordan Alvarez game-winning home run in both of the first two games. The third game—which featured a postseason-record 17 scoreless innings—was decided by Peña's home run in the top of the 18th inning off Penn Murfee. His first career home run on the postseason stage, it thus concluded the longest shutout game in postseason history, 1–0, and clinched an ALDS sweep for Houston.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401467563 |title=Peña's 18th-inning HR sends Astros past Mariners for sweep |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |date=October 15, 2022 |access-date=October 15, 2022}}</ref> Peña was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the American League Championship Series (ALCS), hitting .353 with two home runs in the Astros' four-game sweep of the New York Yankees.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jeremy-pena-home-run-alcs-game-4|title=Peña powers Astros, named ALCS MVP |first=Daniel |last=Kramer |website=MLB.com |date=October 23, 2022 |accessdate=October 24, 2022}}</ref> In Game 5 of the World Series, he homered off Noah Syndergaard of the Phillies to become the first rookie shortstop to hit a home run in World Series play. The Astros won the World Series in six games, and Peña became the third rookie ever to be named the World Series MVP. He also became the first American League (AL) player–and ninth overall–to win both LCS and WS MVP honors in the same year.<ref name="t869">{{cite web | last=Axisa | first=Mike | title=2022 World Series MVP: Astros' Jeremy Peña becomes third rookie to win postseason honor | website=CBSSports.com | date=November 5, 2022 | url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/2022-world-series-mvp-astros-jeremy-pena-becomes-third-rookie-to-win-postseason-honor/amp/ | access-date=October 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |url=https://www.mlb.com/astros/news/jeremy-pena-2022-world-series-most-valuable-player |title=Super shortstop Peña makes history as World Series MVP |work=MLB.com |date=November 6, 2022 |access-date=November 9, 2022}}</ref>
====2023==== On July 29, 2023, Peña doubled among two hits and collected a career-best four RBI to lead an Astros' season-high scoring output in a 17–4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401472588 |title=Peña has career-high 4 RBIs as Astros score season high in 17–4 rout of Rays |work=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press |date=July 29, 2023 |access-date=August 2, 2023}}</ref> Peña's five hits on August 27 established a career-high, greatly contributing to a 17–4 win over the Detroit Tigers, including a franchise record-tying 25 hits.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kawahara |first=Matt |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/astros/article/astros-tie-franchise-record-25-hits-rout-tigers-18333181.php |title=Astros 17, Tigers 4: Houston ties franchise record with 25 hits in rout of Detroit |work=Houston Chronicle |date=August 27, 2023 |access-date=August 27, 2023}}</ref> In the 2023 regular season, Peña played in a career-high 150 games, and also had career-highs with 152 hits, 81 runs scored, 32 doubles, 13 stolen bases, and 43 walks. He batted .263/.324/.381 in 634 plate appearances. On defense, he ranked second among AL shortstops with 150 games played, ranked first in putouts (200), assists (362), double plays turned (89), and third in errors (14).<ref name=penabbrefmain>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/penaje02.shtml |title=Jeremy Peña stats, height, weight, position, rookie status & more |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=October 9, 2023}}</ref> Peña struggled during the Astros playoff run, batting .200 with only one RBI in 11 games.
====2024==== On August 2, 2024, Peña was announced as the Astros' nominee for the annual Heart & Hustle Award.<ref name=paredes080224>{{cite news |last=Paredes Hernández |first=Perla |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/jeremy-pena-heart-hustle-award-from-mlb-alumni-19614810.php |title=Jeremy Peña named Houston Astros' winner of Heart and Hustle Award from MLB alumni |work=Houston Chronicle |date=August 2, 2024 |access-date=August 18, 2024}}</ref> In 2024, he batted .266/.308/.394 with 15 home runs, 70 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases in 602 at bats, and led MLB in infield hits, with 31.<ref>[https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=al&lg=nl&qual=y&type=2&season=2024&month=0&season1=2024&ind=0&sortcol=9&sortdir=default&pagenum=1 "2024 Major League Leaders,"] ''Fangraphs''.</ref>
====2025==== thumb|right|Peña batting in April 2025 On January 9, 2025, the Astros signed Peña to a $4.1 million contract for the season, avoiding arbitration.<ref>{{cite news |last=McTaggart |first=Brian |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-avoid-arbitration-all-eligible-players-2025 |title=Astros avoid arbitration with Valdez, all 7 other eligible players |work=MLB.com |date=January 9, 2025 |access-date=March 9, 2025}}</ref> From April 8–23, he established a new career-high 14-game hitting streak,<ref>{{cite news |last=Falkoff |first=Robert |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/astros-shut-out-in-back-to-back-games-fall-to-500 |title=Despite back-to-back shutouts, Astros confident offense will come |work=MLB.com |date=April 26, 2025 |access-date=May 26, 2025}}</ref> and hit safely in 23 of 24 games including the streak.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=penaje02&t=b&year=2025 |title=Jeremy Peña 2025 batting game logs |work=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=May 26, 2025}}</ref> Peña collected four hits on May 14 versus the Kansas City Royals, including a single in the eighth inning that drove home the go-ahead run to secure a 4–3 Astros win.<ref>{{cite newspaper |last=Kawahara |first=Matt |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/houston-kansas-city-score-jeremy-pena-20326697.php |title=Astros 4, Royals 3: Jeremy Peña stays hot atop lineup as Houston takes series victory |work=Houston Chronicle |date=May 14, 2025 |access-date=May 15, 2025}}</ref> Peña tripled in two runs for his 500th career hit on May 22 at Daikin Park versus George Kirby, starting pitcher for the Mariners.<ref>{{cite news |last=Rieken |first=Kristie |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/altuves-2-homers-peas-milestone-triple-propel-astros-122101172 |title=Altuve's 2 homers and Peña's milestone triple propel Astros past Mariners 9–2 |work=ABC News |agency=Associated Press |date=May 22, 2025 |access-date=May 23, 2025}}</ref> After sustaining a rib fracture as the result of a hit by pitch on June 27, the Astros placed Peña on the 10-day IL.<ref>{{cite newspaper |last=Kawahara |first=Matt |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/jeremy-pena-fractured-rib-injured-list-20400871.php |title=Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña has fractured rib, will be placed on injured list |work=Houston Chronicle |date=June 30, 2025 |access-date=June 30, 2025}}</ref> On July 6, Peña was announced as a reserve infielder for the American League at the MLB All-Star Game, his first career selection.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2025-mlb-all-star-pitchers-reserves-complete-rosters |title=All-Star Game rosters revealed: Young talent, first-timers take spotlight |work=MLB.com |date=July 6, 2025 |access-date=July 6, 2025}}</ref> He did not play in the All-Star game due to his rib injury and missed the month of July.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peña has fracture in finger; out for Classic |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jeremy-pena-has-fracture-in-finger-likely-miss-world-baseball-classic |access-date=2026-05-23 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> He was activated from the injured list on August 1.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Day after return from IL, Peña out of lineup with hamstring cramp |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jeremy-pena-exits-game-with-right-hamstring-cramp |access-date=2026-05-23 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> In total, Peña appeared in 125 games for the Astros and batted .304 with 17 home runs and 62 RBI.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peña homers in final spring game, but Opening Day status still uncertain |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jeremy-pena-returns-to-astros-lineup-in-final-exhibition-game |access-date=2026-05-23 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>
====2026==== Peña did not play on Opening Day for the Astros in 2026 due to a broken finger and instead made his season debut on March 27.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48324234/astros-ss-jeremy-pena-finger-back-missing-opening-day|title=Astros SS Jeremy Peña (finger) back after missing Opening Day|access-date=2026-05-23 |website=www.espn.com}}</ref> He was placed on the injured list with a hamstring strain on April 13, 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kawahara |first=Matt |date=May 17, 2026 |title=Jeremy Peña poised to make timely Astros return as Jose Altuve lands on IL |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/jeremy-pena-return-injured-list-22263309.php |access-date=2026-05-23 |website=Houston Chronicle |language=en}}</ref> He rehabbed with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks but missed time after an on-field collision that resulted in a sore neck.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Peña (sore neck) misses rehab game following collision, HBP |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/jeremy-pena-misses-rehab-game-after-collision |access-date=2026-05-23 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> He was activated from the injured list and returned to the Astros on May 18.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kawahara |first=Matt |date=May 18, 2026 |title='Excited' Jeremy Peña returns to Astros' lineup after month-long absence |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/jeremy-pena-activated-jose-altuve-to-il-22265359.php |access-date=2026-05-23 |website=Houston Chronicle |language=en}}</ref>
==Awards and honors== Although he finished fifth in the AL Rookie of the Year (ROY) rankings,<ref name="u632">{{cite web |last=Hill |first=David |date=November 15, 2022 |title=Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Pena gets last laugh |url=https://calltothepen.com/2022/11/15/houston-astros-shortstop-jeremy-pena-gets-last-laugh/ |access-date=October 26, 2024 |website=Call To The Pen|publisher=FanSided}}</ref> Peña was awarded the AL 2022 Gold Glove Award for his play at shortstop. He became the first Astros rookie to win a Gold Glove, and the first rookie ever to win a Gold Glove at shortstop in MLB history.<ref name="w500">{{cite web | last=McTaggart | first=Brian | title=Kyle Tucker, Jeremy Peña win first Gold Glove Awards | website=MLB.com | date=November 1, 2022 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/kyle-tucker-jeremy-pena-win-first-gold-glove-awards | access-date=September 30, 2024}}</ref>
The Houston chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) named Peña the Astros' Rookie of the Year.<ref name=mctaggart100822/>
On November 30, 2022, Peña was awarded the Key to the City of Providence in a 90-minute ceremony attended by officials including Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and Mayor Jorge Elorza.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parshy |first1=R. Nikhil |title=World Series MVP Jeremy Pena awarded hometown Providence's highest civilian honor |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/baseball/news-such-honor-the-city-watched-grow-kid-man-world-series-mvp-jeremy-pena-reflected-inspiring-mlb-journey-receiving-providence-s-highest-honor |access-date=December 30, 2022 |publisher=Sportskeeda |date=November 30, 2022}}</ref>
==Personal life== Peña has been in a relationship with Canada women's national soccer team player Julia Grosso since December 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 25, 2025 |title=Astros’ Jeremy Peña Turns Heads in Soccer-Star Girlfriend Julia Grosso’s Canada Jersey for Game Day Look |url=https://www.profootballnetwork.com/mlb/astros-jeremy-pena-turns-heads-in-soccer-star/ |access-date=January 20, 2026 |work=Pro Football Network}}</ref>
==See also== {{Portal|Dominican Republic|Baseball|Biography}} *Houston Astros award winners and league leaders *List of Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic *List of second-generation Major League Baseball players {{clear}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|Jeremy Peña}} {{Baseballstats|mlb=665161|espn=41273|br=p/penaje02|fangraphs=sa876320|brm=pena--002jer|retro=P/Ppenaj004}}
{{Houston Astros roster navbox}} {{navboxes| title = Jeremy Peña—awards, championships, and honors | list1 = {{2022 Houston Astros}} {{Dominican Republic roster 2023 World Baseball Classic}} {{World Series MVPs}} {{ALCS MVP}} {{Babe Ruth Award}} {{AL SS Gold Glove Award}} }}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Peña, Jeremy}} Category:1997 births Category:Living people Category:American League All-Stars Category:American League Championship Series MVPs Category:Baseball players from Providence, Rhode Island Category:Chatham Anglers players Category:Corpus Christi Hooks players Category:Estrellas Orientales players Category:Fayetteville Woodpeckers players Category:Florida Complex League Astros players Category:Gold Glove Award winners Category:Houston Astros players Category:Maine Black Bears baseball players Category:Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic Category:Major League Baseball shortstops Category:Peoria Javelinas players Category:Quad Cities River Bandits players Category:Sugar Land Skeeters players Category:Sugar Land Space Cowboys players Category:Tri-City ValleyCats players Category:World Baseball Classic players of the Dominican Republic Category:World Series Most Valuable Player Award winners Category:2023 World Baseball Classic players