Jeremy Pena has taken the reins at shortstop for the Houston Astros and made their fans forget all about Carlos Correa.
The 25-year-old has had quite the season.
During the regular season, Pena hit .253 with 22 home runs and 63 RBI, putting together a potential case for the American League Rookie of the Year Award.
Fast forward to the postseason and Pena has been a hero for Houston, picking up the game-winning hit in Game 3 of the ALDS and earning ALCS MVP honors.
But one thing in particular has changed for Pena this season.
MLB insider Ari Alexander noted that Pena had gotten rid of his signature leg kick and went with a smaller turn and tap, which seemed to get him going in the right direction and ultimately culminated in him winning the ALCS MVP Award.
Pena’s Adjustment
Sometimes, all it takes is a slight adjustment.
For Pena, that slight adjustment appears to have worked wonders.
This postseason, the rookie shortstop is hitting .303 with three home runs and five RBI.
He’s also got an OPS of .991.
Needless to say, Pena has been everything the Astros could have hoped for and more.
On top of that, he’s a Gold Glove finalist.
Because of Pena’s emergence, nobody in Houston is crying about Correa being gone.
Pena’s adjustment clearly has paid off and has helped him turn the corner.
Now, thanks in large part to Pena’s heroics, the Astros are set to open up the World Series at home tomorrow night against the red-hot underdog Philadelphia Phillies.
More must-reads: