TPJ will convert to pitcher

KANSAS CITY -- The Royals added another pitcher to their organization this week.

The new guy can throw 90 mph, can throw from various arm angles -- and, oh yeah, he used to be the Royals' starting shortstop.

Tony Pena, the Royals' maligned former shortstop who was designated for assignment on July 16, is heading to Surprise, Ariz., to attempt a conversion to pitching.

Pena, who cleared waivers, threw a bullpen session with Royals pitching coach Bob McClure on Friday, and played catch again on Sunday at Kauffman Stadium.

Pena tried to downplay his potential position change -- "I'm just here to work out," he said -- but Hillman confirmed that Pena will be heading to the Royals' Spring Training complex in Arizona shortly.

"I've talked to him about two or three times," Hillman said. "He's all for it for right now."

Pena, of course, has a long process ahead of him. He'll likely spend multiple weeks working on the mound in Arizona.

And how long it takes Pena to develop as a pitcher is anyone's guess -- including Hillman's.

"It depends on how quickly they take to it with stuff, command, touch and feel, and how resilient their arm is," Hillman said.

But because Pena has tremendous arm strength, Hillman said he'd like to see the former shortstop in a bullpen role.

Hillman has already had that luxury once. Pena threw a scoreless ninth inning against Detroit during a 19-4 Royals loss on July 21, 2008.

Pena's flawless inning had more than a few fans dreaming about Pena coming out of the bullpen on a permanent basis. Pena retired three batters on 12 pitches, including a strikeout of Ivan Rodriguez.

"I saw touch and feel," Hillman said. "I saw a lack of fear. But obviously, the situation didn't promote a lot of fear."

Still, Hillman likes Pena's raw stuff.

"He's got the ability to throw from different arm angles," Hillman said. "He's got life to his fastball."

Source: www.kcroyals.com