22/07/2010 14:16
Summer collegiate teams always have turnover, and the East Texas Pump Jacks are no different.
Recent player losses caused spots to open on the Pump Jacks, but those holes were filled quickly and one addition has already made a mark.
Miguel Pena arrived Tuesday afternoon before pitching in one of the games that night, and catcher Chase Graskewicz is scheduled to arrive before Friday’s contest.
Pena immediately becomes the highest-drafted current or former Pump Jack, as he was selected in the fifth round out of high school by the Washington Nationals in 2009. He was a four-year star at La Joya High School in Palmview, TX, at the plate as well as on the mound. Pena finished his high-school career with 28 wins and over 400 strikeouts in addition to a sub-1.00 ERA.
The lefty’s prep career culminated with a 7-1 record and 0.12 ERA as a senior. He K’d 98 opposing batters in 56 innings pitched while walking just 14. For his accomplishments, Pena earned first-team all-state and second-team All-American.
Pena chose to attend San Jacinto rather than sign with the Nationals, and that resulted in another standout season as he helped lead them to the national championship series. With the Gators in 2010, Pena was 14-2 and struck out a batter per inning with a 2.51 ERA.
Pena was drafted again just over a month ago, this time in the 13th round by the San Diego Padres. He was pitching in the Cape Cod League in 2010 before returning to Texas.
Pena, who is expected to sign with the Padres by the mid-August signing deadline, shows a good fastball and excellent curveball in addition to pinpoint command from the left side.
In the second game of Tuesday’s double-header, with his new team holding onto a one-run lead with the bases loaded, Pena asked to be put in. He snapped off good breaking balls to erase the batter looking and end the threat before throwing two scoreless innings to earn the victory.
After Friday, Pena will have an additional batterymate to throw to.
Graskewicz, a freshman out of Kansas State University, will be replacing Jarid Scarafiotti on the roster. After Scarafiotti stole second base in the fifth inning of the June 26 game against the North Texas Copperheads, the shortstop lost his balance and came crashing down. Scarafiotti’s knee was injured, and he is out for the rest of the summer.
At K-State, Graskewicz hit .359 with one home run and 14 RBI in 64 at-bats.
Graskewicz prepped at Hudson High School in Hudson, Wisconsin and was a three-sport letterwinner. He lettered four times in baseball, earning team MVP his final three years as well as Defensive MVP twice. Graskewicz was all-district and all-state his sophomore through senior years.
In addition to baseball, Graskewicz lettered four times in football and twice in basketball at Hudson.
Graskewicz will be another strong defensive catcher for the Pump Jacks as they race toward a TCL championship.
After days off Wednesday and Thursday, the Jacks return home for a single game – and a singularly fantastic promotion: Fireworks Friday, presented by KLTV News. Once again, the Pump Jacks will light up the night sky with an incredible fireworks display, set to a new soundtrack. This is the fourth of five fireworks shows this summer, so if you haven’t seen one yet, time is running out!
Pump Jacks Nation is now on Facebook! Visit the East Texas Pump Jacks official team page on Facebook to follow all the news and gossip about the Pump Jacks, post your thoughts on the Jacks 2010 season, upload photos, and interact with other fans. Plus, the Jacks will post specials and discounts just for the Facebook community on the page! Click the link on the left side of the Pump Jacks web site or at the top of every news article on the site, and join Pump Jacks Nation on Facebook!
To follow all Pump Jacks news, including player awards, game stories and promotions, log on to the team’s official Website at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com.
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