On the Farm: Paulino, Pena & Peterson

This cchooks.com feature profiles select farmhands in the Astros system. Today, we look at RHP David Paulino, C Roberto Pena & RHP Eric Peterson.

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David Paulino
Pitcher
BORN February 6, 1994 in Nizao, DR
OPENING DAY AGE 22
HEIGHT 6'5
WEIGHT 210
BATS Right
THROWS Right
RESIDES Peravia, DR
ACQUIRED Via trade from Detroit as a PTBNL, along with OF Danry Vasquez, in exchange for RHP Jose Veras on July 29, 2013…named September 13, 2013

Career Highlights: 2016 - Rated by Baseball America as the Astros' No. 7 prospect entering the season. Also listed within the publication's rundown of the game's Top 100 prospects (No. 91). Is a member of Houston's 40-man roster.

2015 - Following recovery from Tommy John surgery, posted a 5-3 record and 3.07 ERA in 13 games (12 starts) between Tri-City, Quad Cities and Lancaster. Struck out 72 and walked 19 in 67 1/3 innings. Held hitters to 1 home run in 245 at-bats. Made season debut June 20 and hurled 5 shutout innings, yielding 4 hits while striking out 4 as Tri-City beat Connecticut 4-0. Blanked Staten Island over 4 1/3 innings June 25. Was then promoted to the Midwest League where he pitched scoreless ball in 3 of 5 outings with the River Bandits. Emerged as the victor in those 3 performances. Struck out 8 and did not walk a batter over 6 shutout innings July 7 vs. Clinton. Made California League debut July 30 at High Desert, scattering 2 runs (1 ER) on 3 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings. Rocked for 8 runs over 3 2/3 frames in an August 5 loss vs. Bakersfield. Posted a 3.05 ERA & .189 BAA in next 4 outings to close out regular year. Lost Game 2 of the Cal League Mini-Series, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits over 4 1/3 innings.

2014 - Missed season due to Tommy John surgery. 2012 & 2013 - Went 3-1 with a 2.62 ERA in 7 appearances (5 starts) for the GCL Tigers. Struck out 27 and walked 5 over 24 innings. Injured elbow in July 2013.

Career Notes: Has surrendered only 2 home runs in 106 1/3 career innings (377 at-bats). Features a 0.99 WHIP while averaging 9.6 Ks per 9.0 IP and 3.65 strikeouts per walk. 

Roberto Pena
Catcher
BORN June 8, 1992 in Caguas, PR
OPENING DAY AGE 23
HEIGHT 6'0
WEIGHT 216
BATS Right
THROWS Right
RESIDES Caguas, PR
ACQUIRED Selected in the 7th round of the 2010 June draft  

Career Highlights: 2016 - Earned a non-roster invite to big league camp.

2015 - Led Texas League catchers in caught-stealing percentage, gunning down a Hooks single-season record 49% of runners attempting to steal. Helped fashion 9 double plays, which also paced TL backstops. Was charged with 2 passed balls and 4 errors in 609 total chances for a .993 fielding percentage. Selected as a Texas League Midseason All-Star. Represented Puerto Rico in the Pan Am Games July 10-26. Hit safely in 10 consecutive games April 21-May 9. Plated a season-high 3 runs August 28 at Midland. Belted lone home run of the regular season September 4 vs. Frisco. During the playoffs, went 3-for-10 with 1 double, 1 homer and 5 RBIs. Made 3 appearances at second base, recording 4 putouts and 7 assists in 11 total chances while turning 1 double play. Played in 24 games between Santurce and Caguas of the Puerto Rican Winter League. Received a non-roster invite to big league camp. For the 4th consecutive year, rated by Baseball America as being the best defensive catcher in the Astros system entering the season.

2014 - Earned a Rawlings MiLB Gold Glove Award which is granted to 9 minor league players, 1 at each position, who demonstrated defensive excellence. Led qualifying California League catchers with a .996 fielding percentage (3 errors in 842 total chances). Also topped the circuit by throwing out potential base-stealers at a .565 (52-of-92) clip. A Mid- and Postseason All-Star, helped lead the JetHawks to a league championship. Ranked within Lancaster's top 5 offensive leaders in sac flies (5, T-1st), home runs (2nd), hit-by-pitch (6, T-3rd), RBIs (4th), total bases (145, 4th), at-bats (4th) and doubles (T-5th). Homered in back-to-back games and combined for 5 RBIs May 15-16 against Bakersfield and Rancho Cucamonga. Authored a 14-game hit streak from May 25 to June 21, batting .362 with 3 home runs, 13 RBIs and a .424 on-base percentage. Drove in 16 runs over a 12-game stretch from May 15 to May 30. Played 15 games in June, batting .345 with and .897 OPS. Hit safely in 7 of 9 games from July 17-28, going 12-for-34 (.353) with 7 runs, 2 doubles, 3 home runs and 7 RBIs. Notched 5 doubles, 3 home runs and 10 RBIs in his final 10 regular-season games. Played 20 games for Criollos de Caguas of the Puerto Rican Winter League.

2013 - Caught 84 games for the River Bandits who went on to capture the Midwest League title. His caught-stealing percentage of .518 (43-of-83) paced league catchers. Charged with 5 errors in 743 total chances for a .993 fielding percentage. Recorded hits in 16 of his first 17 contests, batting .373 with 13 runs, 4 doubles, 2 home runs, 11 RBIs and a .933 OPS. Notched a season-high 4 hits and plated 3 runs July 5 at Kane County. Featured a .261-4-18 line on the road as opposed to .235-1-14 marks at home. Played winter ball for his hometown Criollos. 

Career Notes: In 6 pro seasons, owns a .992 fielding percentage and has thrown out 45% of runners attempting to steal. Is the son of former Astros infielder Bert Pena (1981, 83-87).

Eric Peterson
Pitcher
BORN March 8, 1993 in Bear, DE
OPENING DAY AGE 23
HEIGHT 6'4
WEIGHT 195
BATS Right
THROWS Right
RESIDES Bear, DE
SCHOOL North Carolina State
ACQUIRED Selected in the 37th round of the 2014 June draft

Career Highlights: 2015 - Ranked 2nd on Quad Cities in appearances and saves, converting all 6 chances. Posted the 3rd-best K-per-9 IP ratio among Midwest League relievers, fanning 10.77 batters for every 9 innings pitched. Permitted 2 earned runs in first 7 assignments (12.2 IP) for a 1.42 ERA. Struck out 3 over 2 shutout frames for a victory May 18 at Clinton. Went 0-3 with a 7.56 ERA in next 5 outings. Following the all-star break, posted a 3-1 record and a 1.85 ERA in 18 appearances. Struck out 39 and walked 9 over 34 innings during this stretch. Final victory came July 29 at Beloit when he pitched 3 scoreless innings and fanned a season-high 5 batters. Kept the opposition off the scoreboard over last 3 regular-season outings, striking out 6 without issuing a walk in 7 combined frames. Made 1 postseason appearance, striking out 2 over 1 1/3 innings.

2014 - Converted all 7 save chances for Greeneville and held the Appalachian League to a .209 batting average. Made pro debut June 19, striking out 3 over 1 1/3 shutout frames vs. Elizabethton. Did not allow a run in final 10 appearances, totaling 11 innings. Fanned 15 against 1 walk and 1 hit during this stretch.

Career Notes: Averaging 11.2 strikeouts per 9 innings while striking out 3.69 batters for every walk issued. Has surrendered 2 home runs in 324 at-bats. Personal Note: Pitched with his twin brother, Patrick, at Temple University and North Carolina State. Patrick was taken by Seattle in the 23rd round of the 2014 draft.