By John Jackson, Contributor
Fabian Peña is a freshman, right-handed hitting catcher for the Manhattan College baseball team. He comes from Miami where he attended Calusa Prep.Through his first 16 games with Manhattan College, Peña has 18 hits with five as doubles and two as home runs. Peña is hitting at a clip of .279/.353/.459 and has driven in 11 runs while scoring eight runs.In his limited time playing Division I baseball, Peña has already been named MAAC Rookie of the Week twice, in consecutive weeks—March 1 and March 8.
He earned the first award after going 7-12 at the plate with two doubles, two RBIs, four runs, and two walks in his first three games. His second award came after he went 3-13 at the plate with a double, three RBIs, two runs scored, and his first home run of his college career. He shined defensively as well as he threw out three-of-four base runners.
The Quadrangle: Did you play baseball in high school and if so were you still a catcher?
Fabian Peña: Yea I played baseball all my four years of high school. I played as a catcher and the rest of the days I’d play first base.
TQ: Why did you choose Manhattan College?
FP: I just thought it was a great opportunity to play Division I baseball and I really like the basic programs of the school. The academics are pretty good too and the type of school it was I just thought it was a perfect fit for me.
TQ: How do you feel your season is going so far?
FP: I think it’s pretty good. We’re adjusting, we’re fixing the little mistakes we’re making, but it’s going in the right direction and we’re going to be fine in the long run.
TQ: You’ve won rookie of the week two weeks in a row. What can you attribute to this hot streak?
FP: I just think it’s the effort we put in and the preparation before the games come around and the way we perform and that I have been performing individually, and I think I’ve been doing a good job and I keep looking to get better at every single thing and keep doing what I do.
TQ: What has been the hardest part of adjusting to college baseball?
FP: It’s growing up and getting mature to play at the next level. At this level of course it’s knowing how to compete at the Division I level and how to make the adjustments to succeed.
TQ: What are the team goals for this season?
FP: It’s just like any other team. Just win the conference and get the ring and bring home another championship.
TQ: Do you have any personal goals that you have set for yourself this season?
FP: Definitely, just average-wise hit over .300 and be the best accurate catcher there is. Be at the top in every single stat that there is.
TQ: Do you have a favorite MLB player or one who you mold your game after?
FP: My favorite player is Derek Jeter. He’s not a catcher but I like his personality and the way he carries himself on and off the field so I think that’s a good example.