Three ValleyCats named to 2018 NY-Penn League All-Star Game
TROY » On Tuesday afternoon, Three ValleyCats players were named to the 2018 New YorkPenn League All-Star game.
Outfielder Alex McKenna, shortstop Jeremy Pena, and pitcher Austin Hansen will be representing the ValleyCats at Lubrano Park on Tuesday, April 14.
“It’s pretty cool. It didn’t really hit me until after the game last night,” said Hansen. “But it’s a big honor being a professional All-Star — It’s a stepping stone of the goal to make it to the big leagues.”
Hansen, McKenna, and Pena were all picks of the Houston Astros in the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft this past June.
“My parents always preached to put your head down and keep working,” said Hansen. “So i never really look at numbers.”
Hansen has been a fun watch on the mound this season. The eighth round pick of the Astros out of the Univer-
sity of Oklahoma alumni currently has a .86 ERA in 21 innings pitched. Hansen is 2-1 this season in ten appearances, including nine out of the bullpen.
Opponents seldom are able to figure out the hurler. Hitters have a dismal .135 batting average against the righty this season.
“I’m not doing anything different, the ball is just falling in my direction,” said Hansen on his approach as of late. “I’m not doing anything different from the other guys because we are all working everyday, same running, same lifting. I’m not doing anything different from anyone else.”
Pena, the third round pick out of the University of Maine, has been a focal point of the ValleyCat defense this season at shortstop.
“I got excited,” said Pena on hearing the news. “To be selected to the All-Star game in my first year in Pro ball. I am just thankful for the opportunity.”
Pena’s numbers may not be all to eye catching for those who like big home run, big RBI guys, but Pena’s at-bats are some of the best in the league. Pena excels at pitch selection and his batting stats have continued to rise as the season has progressed.
Pena currently has a .250 average in 136 at-bats with just ten RBI to his total. Pena hit his first career home run back on August 4 at Joe L. Bruno Stadium.
Pena has been battling shin splints as of late, an injury Manager Jason Bell admitted to being difficult to manage because “the more you do, the worse it gets, but it’s nothing serious.”
Pena is being patient currently on if the shin splints will keep him out of the game.
“We’re taking it day by day,” said Pena. “We’re going to see what the doctor has to say and if that means making an adjustment to the plan, we’ll have to see.”
Finally, “Magical McKenna,” the fourth round pick out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, has made a instant impact since joining the ValleyCats after the college season.
“Anytime you get the opportunity to do things like this and represent your team and represent your family back home it’s an honor,” said McKenna. “You don’t take it lightly. It’s important to me that I prove that I can play with anybody and compete day in and day out and I think this is just another day to do that.”
McKenna currently leads the ValleyCats in batting average (.320), on-base percentage (.420), slugging percentage (.540), and OPS (.960).
McKenna’s slow start to his ValleyCat career was very brief. He currently has five home runs, three of which were hit in three consecutive games, and 18 RBI. Along with his bat, McKenna has showed off his legs with four stolen bases and 54 total bases.
McKenna has been battling his own small injuries as of late. Soreness in his wrist and ankle sidelined him for a game here and there, but should have no long-term effect for the ValleyCat slugger.
“I took a couple of unlucky dings in a row there,” said McKenna. “I got hit in the wrist, hand, there and then fouled a ball off my foot. You can’t really plan for those types of things, it was what it was, so it’s nice to get back to feeling good.”
McKenna’s poise at the plate is evident with his patient at-bats, and his compact swing. His discipline is not all the outfielder poses. He is a strong outfield presence with a good arm. Add in maturity and baseball intangibles, McKenna is very deserving of the All-Star nod.
The young ball players are excited for the opportunity, and they should be. All in their first year of professional baseball, it is an honor to be selected as one of the elite players in Single A short season.
“Alex and I have gotten pretty close and Hansen is a hell of a ball player,” said Pena. “I’m just excited to go out there and play ball.”
“My teammates and everybody come in here everyday and work hard,” said McKenna. “We’re a talented group of guys that come in here, work hard, and want to win — It’s not just us three guys, there are probably a couple other guys that are deserving to come in and represent us in that game. I’m lucky that it was me and I am excited to go represent the ValleyCats.”