Sep 5, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds catcher Brayan Pena is forced out at third base against the Milwaukee Brewers during the second inning in game two of a doubleheader at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
The St. Louis Cardinals signed free agent catcher Brayan Pena to a two-year deal for the 2016-17 seasons, the team announced Monday.
Pena, 33, is a veteran of 11 seasons in the majors, batting a combined .260 with 23 home runs and 164 RBIs in 629 career games with Atlanta (2005-08), Kansas City (2009-12), Detroit (2013) and Cincinnati (2014-15).
The 5-foot-9, 240-pound Cuban native led the Reds in games caught (86) in 2015 while batting .273 with a career-best .334 on-base percentage. Pena, a switch-hitter, batted .295 with a .347 on-base percentage versus right-handed pitching this past season and he hit at a .293 clip against National League Central teams.
Pena’s .999 fielding percentage — one error in 715 total chances — was tops in the National League among qualifying catchers.
Pena has hit 19 or his 23 career homers off of right-handed pitchers and he owns a .271 lifetime batting mark from the left side.
Pena, who has also played 62 career games at first base, is expected to serve as the Cardinals’ primary backup behind the plate to perennial All-Star Yadier Molina.
With the signing of Pena, the Cardinals’ 40-man major league roster is currently at 37 players.
