Where would the Astros be without Jeremy Peña? Seriously, where would they be without one of the best players in baseball?
Entering Friday, only three position players have been worth more in terms of wins than Peña (3.4 fWAR): Aaron Judge (5.9), Cal Raleigh (4.0), and Pete Crow-Armstrong (3.7). That’s it. The improvements Peña has made as a hitter and his usual above-average defense have propelled him to new heights. An All-Star appearance and possible down-ballot MVP votes are certainly realistic at this rate. In a season where Yordan Alvarez has already missed significant time and Jose Altuve has experienced his ups and downs, Peña has proven to be a stabilizing force in the lineup.