Brewers No. 2 Prospect Exits Minor League Game Early

Milwaukee Brewers prospect Luis Peña exited High-A Wisconsin’s game against Cedar Rapids on Tuesday night after falling ill, leading to immediate concern because of the health scare that sidelined him earlier this season. According to Brewers beat writer Curt Hogg, Peña left the game with an illness, but the club has not yet provided further details about his condition.

This comes after the 19-year-old missed nearly a month after he fainted in the dugout during a game in April. Peña, playing in his fifth game back with Wisconsin on Tuesday night, started and singled in the first inning, stole second base and later scored on fellow top prospect Andrew Fischer’s 16th home run of the season.

He returned to the plate in the second inning but struck out in his next at-bat. The situation changed in the bottom of the second inning. Peña stood at shortstop when he suddenly bent over with his hands on his knees, prompting trainers to rush onto the field to check on him. Fischer remained by his side while coaches and medical staff helped him off the field.

Peña appeared sick and in need of assistance as he made his way toward the dugout. Tuesday's incident came only a short time after Peña returned from his previous absence. In April, the talented infielder collapsed in the dugout during a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game and left the ballpark in an ambulance. He spent more than a month away before beginning a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League.

Peña played three games in Arizona as part of that comeback. During those appearances, he collected four hits, including a double and a triple, drove in one run and stole two bases. He also showed off his defensive ability at shortstop before earning a return to High-A Wisconsin on May 27.

Since rejoining the Timber Rattlers, Peña has continued to produce at the plate. Entering Tuesday's game, he had already recorded three hits, three walks, one RBI and one stolen base in his first four games back with the club.

The young shortstop remains one of the most highly regarded prospects in Milwaukee's system and is ranked as the Brewers' No. 2 prospect and the No. 18 prospect in all of baseball. Despite missing significant time this season, he has continued to impress whenever he has been on the field.

Across 66 at-bats this year, Peña owns a .948 OPS with one home run, 10 RBIs and nine stolen bases. He has shown the combination of contact hitting, speed and defensive skill that has made him one of the fastest-rising prospects in the minor leagues.