Secaucus, NJ - Junior catcher Fabian Pena (Miami, FL / Calusa Prep) became the second Jasper in as many years to be selected in the annual Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft when he heard his named called by the San Francisco Giants in the 25th round (pick #736) on Wednesday, June 6.
"I am very excited for Fabian and his family," said Head Coach Mike Cole. "The Giants are getting a special player and outstanding person. We wish him continued success and look forward to following him as he begins his professional career."
An All-MAAC Second Team selection in 2018, Pena hit .255 with 32 runs, 12 doubles, six home runs and a team-best matching 36 RBI. Pena also earned MAAC Player of the Week accolades after batting .438 with two doubles, two home runs, seven runs and eight RBI over four games at Stony Brook and UNC Asheville.
The 2016 MAAC Rookie of the Year, Pena has started all 191 games over the last three years for Manhattan while posting a .314 average (191-of-609) with 58 doubles, 18 home runs and 122 RBI while earning All-MAAC honors each season. The Miami native also played last summer for the Chatham Anglers in the prestigious Cape Cod League.
Pena is the first Manhattan position player to be drafted since Anthony Vega was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 30th round (pick #912) of the 2012 MLB Draft. The Miami native is also the 16th Jasper to be selected by a MLB organization.
Notes:
* This marks the third-straight year, Manhattan has had a member of the program selected as Tom Cosgrove was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 12th round a year ago while incoming student-athlete Tai Tiedemann was selected in the eighth round by the Texas Rangers in 2016.
* Pena will most likely start his career with the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes (Keizer, OR) in the Short-Season Class A Northwest League or with the Giants' Arizona League affiliate.
* If Pena forgoes his final year of eligibility, he would finish his collegiate career third in program history with 58 doubles and 10th with 18 home runs.
* The third drafted player from the MAAC, Pena will most likely be teammates with Siena's Marcos Campos, who was taken in the 29th round by the Giants.
