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From Hype to Hope: What The $5 Million Man Elian Peña Means for the Mets’ Future

Writer's picture: Mark RosenmanMark Rosenman


For baseball-loving kids around the world, January 15 isn’t just another date on the calendar—it’s Christmas morning, graduation day, and winning the lottery all rolled into one. That’s the day Major League Baseball throws open the doors to its international signing period, where years of hard work, determination, and backyard Wiffle ball tournaments finally pay off. For the Mets, it’s also a day to splash some serious cash, as they’ve inked one of the brightest stars on the international market, Elian Peña, to a deal worth a cool $5 million. Peña, a shortstop with enough talent to make Mets fans drool, will take up nearly all of the Mets’ $6.26 million bonus pool. Clearly, they think this kid is worth every penny—and judging by the buzz around the baseball world, they’re probably right. Now the only question is, how soon can he get here ?


So, who exactly is Elian Peña, and why is everyone so excited about him?


For the second consecutive year, the Mets have opened their wallets wide to secure one of the international market’s most exciting young talents. This time, the big splash comes in the form of Elian Peña, a 17-year-old shortstop out of the Dominican Republic, who’s been signed for a cool $5 million. That’s not chump change—it’s the biggest signing bonus the Mets have ever handed out, and it devours nearly their entire international bonus pool of $6.26 million. Clearly, they think this kid is the real deal.




Peña is ranked as the No. 3 international prospect by MLB Pipeline and is the highest-rated player the Mets have snagged since these rankings started in 2012. This isn’t just hype, either—scouts are raving about his smooth, compact left-handed swing and elite bat speed. At 5-foot-11 and 170 pounds, he’s already flashing the kind of power that could one day translate to 25-30 home runs a season. Combine that with an advanced eye at the plate, a knack for working favorable counts, and the ability to spray line drives all over the field, and you’ve got a kid who looks like he was born to hit.




Defensively, Peña’s future home might not be shortstop. He’s got smooth hands and enough range to start there, but some scouts think he’ll eventually slide over to third or second base, where his strong arm and improving athleticism should serve him well. At the plate, though, his potential is undeniable. Baseball America says his offensive game could develop along the lines of Rafael Devers, which is a nice way of saying the Mets may have just signed a future star.


Mets President David Stearns couldn’t have been more excited about the Peña signing, sounding like a kid who just unwrapped the world’s shiniest new toy. “Yeah, I think Peña is such a unique talent,” Stearns said, “and it’s rare that a player as young as Elian becomes as famous as Elian has at this point in his career. He’s only 16 years old, already likely considered one of the top prospects on the island here, very advanced for his age. A left-handed hitting shortstop with power, who understands the strike zone, who works incredibly hard at his craft. It’s a very unique situation where you’re able to bring in someone of his talent and caliber into the organization out of the international signing process.”




Stearns also made sure to tip his cap to the Mets’ international scouts, who apparently worked some serious magic to make this happen. “A huge credit to our international scouts to get us to this point, to identify him, ultimately to work out a deal with him and allow us to enjoy a day like this.” Translation: These guys hit a home run before Peña’s even taken his first swing in orange and blue.


It’s the kind of praise that makes you wonder if Peña’s already got a locker waiting for him at Citi Field. Sure, it’s a little early for that, but if Stearns’ enthusiasm is any indication, the Mets are counting on Peña to be more than just another name on the prospect list. They’re betting he’s a game-changer, and they’re not afraid to say it out loud.


Peña joins a growing list of Mets international signings who’ve been tagged with the "future star" label, a group that includes Ronny Mauricio, Francisco Álvarez, and catcher Yovanny Rodriguez. Of course, not all big-ticket signings go exactly as planned—just ask Alex Ramírez (or maybe don’t, it’s a touchy subject).




Back in 2019, the Mets shelled out $2.1 million to snag Ramírez, then MLB Pipeline’s No. 26 international prospect, envisioning him as their center fielder of the future. For a while, it seemed like they were onto something. By 2023, Ramírez was the top-ranked outfielder in the Mets’ system and their No. 4 prospect overall. But the baseball gods, as they often do, decided to throw a curveball.


Over the next two seasons, Ramírez struggled at the plate in High-A and Double-A, and this past November, the Mets non-tendered him at the ripe old age of 21. So much for the "future." Yet, in a classic case of baseball’s version of “We were on a break,” the Mets brought him back on a minor league deal in February 2024, unwilling to completely give up on a guy who once looked like a star in the making.


For context, Ramírez’s best season came in 2022, when he slashed a respectable .281/.346/.436, notching 11 home runs and 71 RBIs across Low-A and High-A. He even earned himself some untouchable status at the trade deadline that year, as the Mets refused to include him in a deal with Dom Smith for J.D. Martinez. Now, the hope is he can find his swing again and reignite the spark that had scouts drooling a few years ago.


It’s a reminder that international signings, for all the hype and potential, come with no guarantees. Peña might be the next big thing—or he might just be the next cautionary tale. For the Mets, the international signing period isn’t just a chance to secure talent—it’s a high-stakes gamble on the future. Elian Peña represents their latest roll of the dice, and with a $5 million commitment, they’re betting big that he’s the real deal. While past experiences with players like Alex Ramírez remind us that even the brightest prospects can dim under the spotlight, Peña's skill set and potential have scouts dreaming of stardom. If his trajectory matches the hype, the Mets may have found a cornerstone for years to come. And if not? Well, that’s baseball, folks—hope springs eternal, and so does next year’s signing period.

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