Minor League Mondays: Meet Elian Pena, The Mets' $5 Million Man In The DSL

When it comes to minor league prospects, teams can acquire them in two ways: either through the MLB Draft (which is primarily for players born in the United States or Canada) or signing them as international free agents. MLB teams are allowed to sign international free agents as soon as they turn 16, with many offering large signing bonuses to players they believe have immense potential. While the Mets haven't made a ton of big splashes in the international free agent market over the years, the franchise made its biggest this year with the addition of shortstop Elian Pena, who is the focus of this week's edition of Minor League Mondays.

Elian Pena has looked impressive in his first professional season in the DSL.

The Mets gave Pena, 17, a $5 million signing bonus in January to join their organization, which accounted for nearly all of their $6.3 million bonus pool to be used in the current international signing period. The only player to exceed Pena's bonus was Roki Sasaki, who got $6.5 million in bonus money from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Teams will often approach the international bonus pool in two ways: either spreading their money around on a series of smaller bets to find players or making a big splash if they identify a player who they feel has superstar potential. The Mets had been in the first bucket for most of their existence but have begun to move more aggressively in the international market in recent years, with Pena's bonus being the biggest the franchise has ever awarded an amateur free agent.

Since Pena is only 17 years old, the Mets assigned him to their Dominican Summer League Team to begin his professional career. The DSL is the lowest level of minor league baseball and is a popular place for international free agents to begin their careers since it gives them a chance to play in an environment closer to home while also allowing teams to teach them vital skills they will need to advance their careers when they come to the USA. Pena is a native of the Dominican Republic, so the DSL has fit like a glove for him as he has showcased some dominant skills this summer.

In 55 games for the DSL Mets Orange team, Pena has hit .292 with nine home runs, 33 RBI and a ridiculous .949 OPS. The power potential that Pena has demonstrated is immense as he has two separate three home run games this season while also recording 13 doubles and a triple.

Scouts have fallen in love with Pena's advanced recognition of the strike zone at his young age, which is evidenced by the fact he has a .421 on base percentage and drawn nearly as many walks (33) as strikeouts (36) this summer. While the advanced production shows that Pena is clearly too sophistocated for the DSL, moving stateside is a big lifestyle adjustment so the Mets will let him finish 2025 in the Dominican before coming to Port St. Lucie in 2026.

There is true five-tool potential with Pena, who MLB.com ranks as the Mets' 10th-best prospect, and he could easily be in the league's Top 100 prospects with a strong season in 2026. The Mets will likely start Pena in the Florida State League next spring, which is the lowest level of the minors state side, but it wouldn't be shocking to see Pena reach either Low-A St. Lucie or High-A Brooklyn by the end of the summer if he shows he is too advanced to deal with the pitching he will see in Florida.

While it will take Pena some time to reach the majors, it is worth keeping an eye on him as the potential shortstop of the future for the Mets. MLB.com has listed Pena's big-league ETA as 2030, when Francisco Lindor will be in his mid-30s. If Pena is ready for the majors at that point, he could become the Mets' shortstop while Lindor moves to another position like second base for the remainder of his contract, which expires after the 2031 season.

There is a long way to go for Pena's development but the fact he has looked completely comfortable against professionals at 17 years old is a big positive sign for his future. The move to the United States next year will be the first big jump of Pena's career, but if it goes as smoothly as this year has the Mets will be in an excellent position to develop a home grown superstar up the middle over the next few years.