Elian Peña
No. 5: Elian Peña, SS
B/T: L/R Age: 17
Ht: 5’10″ Wt: 180 lb
ETA: 2025
Acquired: 2025 International Free Agency
ETA: 2025. 2024 Rank: N/A
The Mets signed top international prospect SS Elian Peña to the largest International Free Agent contract in franchise history at the start of the 2025 signing period in January. Peña has been one of the more touted international free agents in recent memory, and instantly becomes a top prospect for the Mets upon singing.
At just 17, he is known for a great knowledge of the strike zone that goes well beyond his years, a smooth lefty swing, and solid defensive fundamentals that project to keep his glove at a premier position, whether it be at shortstop or at third base.
Peña is arguably the most high-profile prospect the Mets have brought into their system since they drafted Jarred Kelenic with the 6th overall selection in 2018.
Peña is celebrated for his exceptional left-handed hitting prowess. His bat speed and ability to make consistent, hard contact have earned him a 65-grade hit tool from MLB Pipeline, placing him among the top international prospects in terms of his offensive abilities.
Beyond his pure bat-to-ball capabilities, Peña exhibits advanced plate discipline, demonstrating a well above average knowledge of the strike zone and the barell control ability to spray the ball to all fields. This combination of power and discipline positions him as a potential five-tool player, with solid speed to boot.
Defensively, Peña has shown promise at shortstop, with smooth hands and a strong arm. While his fielding skills are still developing, his athleticism and understanding of the game suggest he could excel at multiple infield positions as he progresses in his professional career. Naturally, if he does not stick at shortstop, it would make the most sense for him to shift over to either second base or third base. However, with recent trends in how teams handle athletic prospects who might not last at short, the Mets could give Peña looks in the outfield as well. For now, expect to see the $5 million man at shortstop for the foreseeable future.
Given his age and how international free agents are usually handled, expect to see Peña make his professional debut in the Dominican Summer League with the DSL Mets squad. Peña will be 17 for the entire 2025 season giving the Mets plenty of time with his development, but a strong debut in 2025 could speed up his anticipated arrival stateside with the Florida Complex League Mets.
Elian Peña’s signing significantly enhances the Mets’ farm system, which has seen substantial improvement in recent years. Prior to Peña’s addition, the system boasted other promising infield talents such as infielders Luisangel Acuña, Ronny Mauricio, and Jett Williams, along with outfielders Drew Gilbert, Carson Benge, and Ryan Clifford to round out the team’s offensive core of prospects. The addition of Peña, a 17-year-old shortstop from the Dominican Republic adds depth and balance to the Mets’ infield pipeline.
As Peña develops, he is expected to join a growing group of top prospects at the front-end of the Mets system, including Williams, as well as right-handed pitchers Brandon Sproat, Nolan McLean, and Jonah Tong. Overall, the Mets have had several prospects land on top-1oo+ lists early this spring, and Peña provides a logical candidate to be the next Mets prospect to land on these lists in the near future.
