From low-key addition to breakout star, this Yankees prospect is on the rise
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What may have seemed like a minor transaction at last year's Trade Deadline has turned into a massive success for the Yankees.
Vying for the top of the division, New York made a flurry of moves last July. It acquired current closer David Bednar along with multiple other supplemental bullpen pieces. It brought in Ryan McMahon to play third base and José Caballero to serve as a utility option. But one trade that almost certainly flew under the radar is starting to look like the savviest of the bunch:
The Yankees sent longtime prospect Oswald Peraza to the Angels for Wilberson De Pena -- a fairly unknown Rookie-ball outfielder who had yet to click as a pro. Flash forward to this summer, and he's broken out in a big way.
De Pena was one of the biggest risers in MLB Pipeline's recent rankings refresh. After starting the season unranked, he vaulted 14 spots, debuting on the Top 30 list at No. 17 (he has since moved to No. 16 following Spencer Jones' graduation).
What fueled the jump? Just take a look at his numbers.
De Pena led all Rookie-level circuits with 16 homers over 56 Florida Complex League games this season and took home the circuit's triple crown. His .358 average, .677 slugging percentage and 1.088 OPS were all tops in the FCL, as were his 81 hits, 38 extra-base hits, 153 total bases and 67 RBIs.
Following the FCL season, De Pena was promoted to Single-A Tampa on July 28, and he showcased his home run thump right away, pulling a 371-foot clout off left-hander Grayson Grinsell (DET No. 28) in his first at-bat. Through two games at the new level, De Pena is 3-for-9 with a walk.
Dating back to his time in the FCL, the Dominican Republic native is slashing .485/.528/.758 during an eight-game hit streak. It's his second-longest streak of the season behind a nine-game heater that he had in May in which he slugged four homers.
Further building on De Pena's gaudy numbers, he is one of just four hitters -- Minors or Majors -- with a six-hit performance this year. The offensive masterclass came on June 22, and featured three doubles, four runs and four RBIs in seven at-bats.
De Pena -- who was signed for $50,000 by the Angels in 2024 -- spent two seasons in the Dominican Summer League before moving stateside this season and seeing major success.
Standing at 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, the key to the 19-year-old's game is doing damage. He routinely pulls balls in the air from the right side, signaling potential 30-homer pop in the future. De Pena possesses plus speed and shows good range in the outfield. This season, he has spent time at all three spots on the grass while predominantly playing right field.