Pena Begins Pro Season In Quad Cities

Former UMaine shortstop Jeremy Pena will start his first full professional baseball season with the Quad Cities River Bandits, the Class A Midwest League team for the Houston Astros.

Houston selected Pena in the third round (#102 overall) in last year's amateur draft and Pena played in 36 games for the Astros Rookie League team in the New York-Penn League. He batted .250 with a home run and 10 RBI. Pena made nine errors in 111 total chances for a fielding percentage of 92%.

His third round draft selection makes him the highest draftee on the Quad Cities roster.

The River Bandits open their season Thursday night.

Former UMaine catcher Christopher Bec, drafted in the 5th round by the Toronto Blue Jays last June, will again start the year with the Jays short-season team in Vancouver.

He played in 49 games for the Canadians last season, hitting .245 with three home runs and 21 RBI.