Arizona Diamondbacks Release Ismael Pena

The Arizona Diamondbacks have released Ismael Pena, their top international prospect from 2012.

Another former top prospect of the Arizona Diamondbacks has left the organization. First baseman and outfielder Ismael Pena, who received the highest amount of $750,000 as a 17-year old international free agent from the Dominican Republic, was released according to Baseball America’s Ben Badler. The 20-year old Pena is the son of D-backs’ area scout Arturo Pena.

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Pena never got past the organization’s Rookie level squad, receiving a total of 613 plate appearances across three seasons. The lefty-swinging and throwing youngster hit six home runs and drove in 60 runs, compiling a batting average of .217 with an on-base percentage of .286. His playing time gradually decreased with 240 plate appearances in his first season in 2013 to 196 in 2014 and finally, 177 last season. Here is what Baseball America wrote about him when he was signed by Arizona:

"He’s a 6-foot-3, 175-pound lefty with a tall, lean frame. His baseball upbringing is evident at the plate, where he shows a smooth, simple swing with good balance and a refined hitting approach for his age. Pena showed he can handle the bat, but the question is on the rest of his tool set. He does have some lift in his swing, but he’s mostly a line-drive hitter with gap power. He’s around an average runner now, but he’ll slow down to below-average eventually, which combined with a 45-50 arm makes him likely a left fielder or a first baseman."

We wish the best of luck to Ismael Pena as he looks to catch on with another organization.

Signing a pair of pitchers

According to mlbtraderumors.com, the D-backs have inked a pair of right-handed pitchers, Matt Buschmann and Jose Cisnero. The 31-year old Buschmann, who has never cracked the Majors, was a 15th round Draft selection by the San Diego Padres in 2006. He has gotten as high as Triple A ball going as far back as 2009 but has never taken the final step. In addition to the Padres, Buschmann has spent time in the organizations of the Tampa Bay Rays, Oakland A’s, Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles.

Next: Arizona Diamondbacks: Winter League Update

The 26-year old Cisnero appeared in a total of 33 games for the Houston Astros in 2013 and 2014. He has given up 57hits and 26 walks while striking out 46 over 48 1/3 innings. Cisnero was signed by the Astros as an amateur free agent in 2007. During the course of his Minor League career, he has a 2:1 strikeout to walk ratio over 523 1/3 innings.