Brayan Pena is a former professional baseball player who played as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on January 7, 1982, in Havana, Cuba, and began his baseball career in his home country before defecting to the United States in 1999.
Pena signed with the Atlanta Braves as an amateur free agent in 2000 and spent several years in their minor league system before making his MLB debut in 2005. He played for the Braves for three seasons before being traded to the Kansas City Royals in 2008.
Pena spent two seasons with the Royals before signing with the Detroit Tigers in 2010. He played for the Tigers for three seasons and was known for his solid defensive skills and ability to handle pitchers. In 2013, he had a career-high batting average of .297 and helped the Tigers reach the American League Championship Series.
After his time with the Tigers, Pena played for several other teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, and Miami Marlins. He was primarily used as a backup catcher and was known for his leadership and positive attitude in the clubhouse.
Throughout his career, Pena was respected by his teammates and coaches for his work ethic and dedication to the game. He was also known for his charitable work, including his involvement with the Detroit Tigers Foundation and his support of various causes in his home country of Cuba.
Pena retired from professional baseball in 2017 and has since worked as a broadcaster and analyst for MLB Network and ESPN Deportes. He has also continued his charitable work and is involved with several organizations that support youth baseball and education.
Overall, Brayan Pena had a successful career as a catcher in MLB, playing for several teams over the course of more than a decade. He was known for his solid defensive skills, leadership, and positive attitude, both on and off the field.
⚾