Rookie shortstop Jeremy Peña has been a difference-maker all postseason for the Houston Astros, a trend that continued in Game 5 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Peña—who became the fifth rookie ever and the only first-year shortstop to earn championship MVP honors for his performance in Houston’s ALCS sweep of the New York Yankees—made some more MLB history on Thursday night.
Just a few minutes removed from making a dazzling defensive play, Peña made an impact with his bat. Leading off the top of the fourth, the 25-year-old launched a solo shot into the left field seats off Noah Syndergaard to give the Astros a 2-1 lead. According to MLB’s Sarah Langsthis blast made him the first rookie to ever hit a home run in the World Series as a shortstop.
Langs added that the home run gave Peña nine extra-base hits in the 2022 playoffs—tying the third-most by a rookie in a single postseason, behind teammate Yuli Gurriel (10 in 2017) and Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena (14 in 2020).
Making history is nothing new to Peña in recent days. In addition to his historic ALCS MVP honor, he became the first rookie shortstop to win Gold Glove honors earlier this week.
There is still plenty of baseball left to be played, but if the Astros were to win the Fall Classic, Peña seems to be a top contender for World Series MVP. According to MLB.com, only two rookies—Larry Sherry in 1959 and Livan Hernandez in 1997—have won the award, and no first-year position player has ever accomplished the feat.