Minor League Mondays: Elian Pena Is The Mets' Next Untouchable Prospect

The term "untouchable" isn't thrown around lightly in baseball circles. An untouchable prospect is judged by an organization as a can't miss talent that can be a foundational piece of a roster for years to come. A.J. Ewing has developed into that type of talent for the New York Mets this season, but the next player to land that untouchable label should be shortstop Elian Pena, the focus of this week's edition of Minor League Mondays.

Elian Pena could be the Mets' shortstop of the future.

Pena, 18, was the Mets' top international signee during the 2025 international free agency window. The Mets handed the 16-year old Pena a franchise-record $5 million signing bonus, a significant commitment when the organizations' entire bonus pool was a shade over $6 million. Scouts had rated Pena as one of the top prospects in that international free agent cycle, and he flashed some of that ability last year in the Dominican Summer League.

After a tough 0-for-26 start to his professional career, Pena settled in and made a tremendous impact the rest of the way. Over the course of 55 games Pena batted .293 with nine home runs, 33 RBI, 21 stolen bases and a .949 OPS in 178 at bats. Pena was one of just two players aged 17 or younger to hit nine homers in the DSL last year, a sign of his promise as a prospect.

Impressed by Pena's development, the Mets brought him stateside for the 2026 campaign. While the next step in the minor league ladder would be rookie ball in the Gulf Coast League, the Mets challenged Pena by bypassing that level and having him participate in full season ball with Low-A St. Lucie. Pena has been up to the task, batting .303 with two home runs, 15 RBI, 11 stolen bases and an .833 OPS in his first 30 games at the level.

There is a lot to like for Pena, who has five-tool potential that is being flashed daily for St. Lucie. Scouts believe that Pena's best tool is his hitting skill, which should lead to high averages in the majors, and he can develop 20-home run pop in time. It does remain a question where Pena will play when he reaches the majors, but he does appear to have enough range and arm strength to stick at shortstop for the near term.

Pena is currently rated as the Mets' 7th-best prospect according to MLB.com and could be a rapid riser in their farm system. David Stearns has been willing to quickly promote prospects who demonstrate mastery of a level, and if Pena continues to torch Low-A pitching he could end up in Brooklyn this summer. The Mets have to be thrilled with Pena's development and adjustment to life in the US, which is often a big hurdle for international prospects to overcome, so he is likely rising to the ranks of untouchable rather quickly.

MLB.com has Pena's ETA in the majors as 2030, but he could easily beat that if he keeps beating up on more advanced pitchers in the minors. It wouldn't be shocking to see Pena arrive as soon as 2028, when he could take over as the Mets' shortstop with Francisco Lindor moving over to second base to close out the final years of his contract.

There is no reason for the Mets to rush Pena along, especially since he is only 18 years old. Pena's play will inform the organization when he is ready for a new challenge, and it won't be shocking to see him end up as the rare 20-year old to reach the majors in a few year's time.