Malvin Pena

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #25 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Pena had a breakout year in 2018 at short-season Auburn and low Class A Hagerstown. His numbers didn't show it at high Class A Potomac, but he has enough stuff to keep rising through the system. He had Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2015 season before making just two appearances in 2016. Pena's high point of this past season came in early June when he was named Carolina League pitcher of the week after allowing two hits over seven scoreless innings in a win over Lynchburg.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The biggest key for Pena will be the development of his secondary pitches. He throws a firm, 92-93 mph fastball that touches 95 at its best and also has good riding life. This season, Pena worked on improving a hard, power slider and increasing the consistency of his changeup, but both of those pitches need to get better to become even average. Pena has a deceptive delivery that he's able to repeat well. His walk rate spiked compared to the 2018 season, and while he does a decent job putting the ball in and around the zone, he's safely a control over command pitcher at this point and will need to make strides in that area to remain competitive as he climbs the minor league ladder barring improvement with his secondary offerings.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pena more than doubled his career high for innings in 2019, and he proved to be a tough competitor. The uptick in innings should help him, whether he continues to start or moves to a relief role.
• 
  Ranked Washington Nationals #28 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2014, Pena struggled early in his pro career, with a 6.50 ERA combined between two stints in the Dominican Summer League in 2014 and 2016, with a Tommy John surgery mixed between. Pena began to get back on track last season in the United States, and had his best year in 2018, reaching Class A Hagerstown.
  
  Scouting Report: Though Pena dealt with some arm soreness and was eventually shut down due to an oblique injury, when he was on the mound he impressed with a good tempo and an impressive ability to repeat his delivery despite a large frame that is significantly bigger than his listed height and weight. Pena has a fastball that's typically in the 92-93 mph range and gets up to 95-96 at times, with a curveball and changeup that are both inconsistent but could both become average. He improved the feel for his changeup over the course of the season and coaches were also impressed at times with his breaking ball.
  
  The Future: Given Pena's impressive strikethrowing ability and three-pitch mix, there's a chance Pena continues to start, but he doesn't project as more than a back-of-the-rotation arm.

• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Pena had a breakout year in 2018 at short-season Auburn and low Class A Hagerstown. His numbers didn’t show it at high Class A Potomac, but he has enough stuff to keep rising through the system. He had Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2015 season before making just two appearances in 2016. Pena’s high point of this past season came in early June when he was named Carolina League pitcher of the week after allowing two hits over seven scoreless innings in a win over Lynchburg.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The biggest key for Pena will be the development of his secondary pitches. He throws a firm, 92-93 mph fastball that touches 95 at its best and also has good riding life. This season, Pena worked on improving a hard, power slider and increasing the consistency of his changeup, but both of those pitches need to get better to become even average. Pena has a deceptive delivery that he’s able to repeat well. His walk rate spiked compared to the 2018 season, and while he does a decent job putting the ball in and around the zone, he’s safely a control over command pitcher at this point and will need to make strides in that area to remain competitive as he climbs the minor league ladder barring improvement with his secondary offerings.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pena more than doubled his career high for innings in 2019, and he proved to be a tough competitor. The uptick in innings should help him, whether he continues to start or moves to a relief role. BA GRADE 40 Risk: High BA GRADE 40 Risk: High
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Pena had a breakout year in 2018 at short-season Auburn and low Class A Hagerstown. His numbers didn't show it at high Class A Potomac, but he has enough stuff to keep rising through the system. He had Tommy John surgery and missed the entire 2015 season before making just two appearances in 2016. Pena's high point of this past season came in early June when he was named Carolina League pitcher of the week after allowing two hits over seven scoreless innings in a win over Lynchburg.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The biggest key for Pena will be the development of his secondary pitches. He throws a firm, 92-93 mph fastball that touches 95 at its best and also has good riding life. This season, Pena worked on improving a hard, power slider and increasing the consistency of his changeup, but both of those pitches need to get better to become even average. Pena has a deceptive delivery that he's able to repeat well. His walk rate spiked compared to the 2018 season, and while he does a decent job putting the ball in and around the zone, he's safely a control over command pitcher at this point and will need to make strides in that area to remain competitive as he climbs the minor league ladder barring improvement with his secondary offerings.
  
  THE FUTURE: Pena more than doubled his career high for innings in 2019, and he proved to be a tough competitor. The uptick in innings should help him, whether he continues to start or moves to a relief role.