The Mets have signed former Angels right hander Felix Pena to a Minor league contract. The 32 year old right swing guy, was the major contributer to the Angels combined no hitter on the 12th of July 2019. He pitched 7 no hit innings, allowing just a walk and 6 strikeouts.
Pena has been a solid swing guy in recent season, pitching succesful in that role for the Angels from 2018 to 2020. Combined in those years he pitched to a 4.34 ERA over 215.2 innings of work. His FIP was 4.13 with a 1.22 WHIP. He walked 3.1 per nine and struck out 9 per 9 over his 4 seasons with the Angels. Overall the numbers aren’t eye popping but certainly solid numbers for a depth guy who can start if needed.
In those three seasons Pena had solid expected ERA numbers are well according to baseball savant. He collected a 3.76, 4.79 and 3.53 XERA in those three seasons. In 2020 he had his strongest year (60 game season) being in the 70th percentile or higher in Hard Hit % (85), xwOBA (70), xERA (70), xSLG (70), Barrel % (72), BB% (70).
Unfortunately in 2021 Pena pitched just 1.2 innings in the majors allowing 7 runs. He wasn’t a lot better in AAA, pitching to a 8.03 ERA over 68.1 innings of work. He allowed 82 hits over those 68.1 innings.
In the end it’s still a solid depth arm to get on a minor league deal. If Pena is his former self from the three years prior to 2021, he is a solid depth arm to use when the Mets need innings due to injuries.
Photo credit: MLB Trade Rumors
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