Wily Mo Peña

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**Wily Mo Peña**
Major League Baseball debut
Boston Red Sox — No. 22
Right fielder
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
September 10, 2002 for the Cincinnati Reds
Selected MLB statistics (through 2006)
Batting average	.261
RBI	176
Home runs	62
Former teams
Cincinnati Reds (2002-2005) Boston Red Sox (2006–present)

William Modesto ("Wily Mo") Peña (b. January 23, 1982 in Laguna Salada, Dominican Republic), is a Major League Baseball player for the Boston Red Sox. At 6 feet, 3 inches in height and 245 pounds, the right-handed batting and throwing Peña is considered a pure power hitter known for his tape-measure home runs. He is also viewed by many as an impatient, strikeout-prone batter, and a shaky defensive outfielder. Nevertheless, Peña's demonstration of power has impressed baseball pundits, and he is seen as a potential star in the sport.

[edit] Professional career

Originally signed by the New York Mets as an amateur free agent in 1998, Peña signed with the New York Yankees about a year later and was traded to the Reds for third baseman/designated hitter Drew Henson and outfielder Michael Coleman in 2001. He made his Major League debut on September 10, 2002. Because he was signed to a major league contract, Peña's path to the majors was rushed, and he ended up becoming a bench player in an already crowded Cincinnati outfield.

His $2.3 million signing bonus remains the largest ever for an amateur free agent.

[edit] 2006 Season

Because of a lack of pitching and a plethora of outfielders, the Reds traded Peña to the Boston Red Sox during spring training in 2006 for pitcher Bronson Arroyo. Over the course of the season, Peña served as a fourth outfielder and one half of a platoon in right field. He batted a career-high .301 with a personal best on base percentage of .349 in 299 plate appearances. Following an injury to Coco Crisp, Peña filled in at center field. On May 27, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list after surgery was required for an injured tendon in his left wrist. On July 18, he was activated from the disabled list. After platoon-mate Trot Nixon injured his biceps on July 30, Peña played more frequently in right field.