PLÁKATA Nation

Young stars showed out at MLB Home Run Derby

In the latest episode of Plákata Nation, former All-Star slugger Carlos Peña and Rodney Peña rave about the “controlled violence” on display in the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby. They were proud of fellow Dominican Republic Junior Caminero, the young Tampa Bay Rays’ slugger who finished second behind the Mariners’ Cal Raleigh. “I was pulling for (Caminero) obviously,” said Carlos Peña, who hit .286 home runs over his 14-year MLB career. “ I remember writing to my son, ‘I’m really proud.’ My son was like, ‘Nah, man, I’m really upset right now.’ … Cal Raleigh was outstanding.” Carlos Peña, who hit .286 home runs over his 14-year MLB career, broke down the key elements of a swing during a long Home Run Derby. “This is (about) who could get in cadence. Who could get in rhythm,” Carlos said. “Junior Caminero was the perfect example. To the end there going against Cal Raleigh he got tired, right? And you could see there was a little more exertion. There was a little bit more effort. “When you start doing that, Rod, you start top-spinning balls because you try to get underneath it and your back side collapses. The angle is a little bit more upward, and you’re like is that what you want, clearly not.” Yet, when Caminero was in rhythm, “he wouldn’t even look up to where the ball went because when he does hit it right, it goes,” Carlos noted of Caminero. At one point, Rodney Peña considered the NBA All-Star Week with the 3-point contest as his favorite All-Star Week in American sports. Now, though, Rodney Peña says the MLB All-Star Week with the Home Run Derby has surpassed the NBA All-Star Week. “I actually think MLB has … surpassed it,” he said. With co-host Jesus Ortiz at Atlanta’s Truist Park for the All-Star week festivities, Carlos and Rodney Peña clearly enjoyed the festivities as well from home.

Admiring Astros lefty Framber Valdez

In the latest episode of Plákata Nation, Carlos Peña, Rodney Peña and Jesus Ortiz rave about Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez.  The Plakata Nation crew consider Valdez one of the best pitchers in baseball. They discussed Valdez's storybook rise to the majors after waiting until he was 21 years old before he finally secured a contract as an amateur free agent. The Plakata Nation crew also discussed hard-throwing Cubs closer Daniel Palencia, a Venezuelan fireballer who was once told he wouldn't throw faster than 90-mph. Palencia now hits 102-mph on his fastball.

Discussing the rookies making an impact

In the latest episode of Plákata Nation, Carlos Peña, Rodney Peña and Jesus Ortiz heap praise on all the rookies making a difference. From Roman Anthony to Marcelo Mayer and Carlos Narváez, [https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/carlos-narvaez-player]there are a lot of talented rookies to discuss. The Plakata Nation crew also discussed Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña's impressive season. Considering the ascension of Red Sox shortstop Marcelo Mayer, Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda and Isaac Paredes, Jesus Ortiz even asked if Mexico has surpassed tradition baseball power Puerto Rico as a baseball country.   "There are a lot of young studs for Mexico right now," said Ortiz, who also mentioned Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk. Listen, rate and subscribe to the latest episode of Plakata Nation on Apple, Spotify or YouTube [https://youtu.be/xIrwlKw82tA].

Going Plákata with Junior Caminero

In the latest episode of Plákata Nation, Carlos Peña, Rodney Peña and Jesus Ortiz highlighted an exclusive interview with Tampa Bay Rays prodigy Junior Caminero. Rodney Peña and Jesus Ortiz also congratulated and then quizzed Carlos about his new position as general manager of Leones del Escogido of the Dominican Republic Winter League, LIDOM. With a special mention highlighting Framber Valdez’s brilliant 83-pitch outing, the crew also gave a shoutout to LSU’s baseball team for their Plakata home run of the week. The crew spent a great portion of the show breaking down Junior Caminero’s interview. In that interview, Caminero was humbled by a recent comparison to former Triple Crown winner and eventual Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera. Caminero also discussed what it would mean to him to represent his beloved Dominican Republic in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

Celebrating the return of Atlanta Braves All-Star Ronald Acuña Jr.

In the latest episode of Plákata Nation, Carlos Peña, Rodney Peña and Jesus Ortiz celebrate the return of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. Acuña hit a home run in his first at-bat since coming off the injured list, and he celebrated in the most Latino way with plenty of joy and antics. Some old school fans may not like Acuña's celebrations, but the Plakata Nation crew loved it. Carlos Peña, Rodney Peña and Jesus Ortiz explained how Latinos bring passion into everything in life. Whether it's a family discussion or on the baseball diamond, we're loud and proud. "We're not arguing. We're Dominicans," Carlos Peña noted as an example of how we as Latinos bring the loud sazon to everything. The crew also discussed how guys such as Mets star Francisco Lindor and Red Sox manager Alex Cora had breakfast a night after Lindor playfully encouraged the umpires to eject Cora during a heated moment. Brothers off the field can give each other grief on the field without making it personal. The crew also praised the impressive seasons Isaac Paredes of the Astros and Andres Muñoz of the Mariners are having. Paredes and Muñoz played together on Mexican youth national teams, and now they're making good cases to earn their second consecutive All-Star berths.