MLB rookie rankings: The Astros might have replaced Carlos Correa with a superstar
There are a lot of forces that lead to pressure building up around rookies. Some of them emanate from the player himself — whether they possess the obvious physical tools for stardom, or minor-league domination or a novel profile everyone wants to succeed.
Others are decidedly external. Prospect lists, comparisons to stars of yore, a famous father, etc. And sometimes, a rookie doesn’t even get to define himself as A Guy before he’s tapped to replace The Guy.
It’s perhaps the toughest ask of a young player. You don’t just have to adjust to the majors and find your way, you have to do it while everyone compares you to the franchise player who just left. Also, a perennial contender’s division dominance might ride on it.
Such was the scenario for Jeremy Peña, the 24-year-old shortstop...






