No. I think that any pressure from not hitting was self inflicted. I'm sure the coaches wanted him to hit better. But I would also expect them to make him feel that his job is defense and not let him get down on himself about run production.
I decided to punch in those numbers to see if they make any sense, and Pena would have to hit nothing but singles to get an OPS below 1.170 while hitting 65 home runs over a 600 PA season. He'll only have a 3.5% walk rate despite hitting .385 with 65 bombs, according to your numbers, meaning only 21 walks on the year. As usual with this board circa last year, you're selling Pena short.
I predict, without the shift next year, Pena shows he is even better than other shortstops. Defensive reaction and range will be at a premium and that's his biggest strength.
Nice highlight package of his season. Still can't believe what this rookie managed to bring to the team this year.
Peña was amazing and the overall best offensive player on the team but Bregman was largely right there with him in consistency and huge moments.
I would not say he carried them. He surely was the best player and deserved both MVPs ( though Bregman had case for ALCS and Bregman, Peessly, and Framber had case for WS MVP) But saying " he carried us" implies he did it alone or everyone else stunk it up. I can list something that almost every player did to contribute. Even Mancini, who was terrible, had that great run ( maybe game) saving play at 1B.
Carried a team is almost an impossible phrase to use for baseball for an entire series. It’s more applicable to basketball.
What I will say is that he deserved both MVPs that he won And he was the most consistently good player throughout.