PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- The education of Jeremy Peña continues on the back fields of the Astros’ spring complex, where the shortstop has been working to improve his defense with Tony Perezchica, the team’s new third-base and infield coach and run-prevention coordinator.

Astros manager Joe Espada was ecstatic to pluck Perezchica away from the D-backs, where he was third-base coach from from 2017-24, and bring him to Houston to help the Astros improve defensively. Much of that centers on Peña, the 27-year-old shortstop who suddenly finds himself as the team’s longest-tenured infielder with Jose Altuve headed to left field and Alex Bregman in Boston.

“Tony is a person that has a lot of knowledge about defense, and he’s very passionate about defense,” Peña said. “That’s why I’m excited to work with him. He’s a person that brings a lot to the team. He is always willing to work. He focuses on the little things and wants to perfect this art. Perfection’s impossible, but we’re going to shoot for it with Tony.”

Peña, who won the American League Gold Glove as a rookie in 2022, has regressed defensively the past two seasons. He also no longer has a Gold Glove winner at third base (Bregman won the award last year) and will have a new double-play partner at second base, so his defense will be more important than ever.

“He’s always looking for ways to get better,” Espada said. “That’s the stronger part of his game, is his defense. Perezchica did notice some things about his defense, things that could make him more consistent. He’s got a ton of range, so how can he finish some of those tough plays? Some things that Tony kind of figured out or pointed out to him, they’re working at it.”

Peña said he’s been working on staying more compact on defense and not making as many extraneous movements with his arms when he’s fielding a ball. He’s not getting to more balls than he used to, but he’s getting to balls with more time, which will allow him to make more plays.

“I’m loose, as in relaxed, but I’m staying a little more compact, running to the ball with my arms kind of closer to my body instead of flailing them around everywhere,” Peña said. “I feel like I’m a person that I never see a ball I can’t get to. … If we’re a little more efficient on those balls that I think I can get to, it will be a little easier.”

A closer look at the numbers, as provided by colleague David Adler, shows how Peña’s defense has slipped from his rookie season:

Peña’s Outs Above Average by season:

• 2022: +7 OAA (T-10th among qualifying SS)
• 2023: +2 OAA (T-17th among qualifying SS)
• 2024: -2 OAA (T-29th among qualifying SS)

What it means: Peña dropped by five OAA from ‘22 to ‘23 and by four OAA from ‘23 to ‘24, meaning he went from one of the better-fielding shortstops to a below-average fielder.

Peña’s arm strength has also decreased by season:

• 2022: 84.3 mph (T-22nd among SS, min. 100 throws)
• 2023: 83.6 mph (34th among SS, min. 100 throws)
• 2024: 80.5 mph (45th among SS, min. 100 throws)

What it means: Peña never had an elite arm at shortstop, but he was at least middle of the pack in ‘22, and he now has among the lowest arm strength at the position.

Espada hopes improved efficiency on defense will help Peña regain his Gold Glove form.

“There are things you get away with when you’re as talented as he is, but if you want to consistently continue to improve every year, those are little things we can improve on,” he said.

It was a year ago that Peña was working on getting more efficient with his swing in an effort to regain his power stroke. After posting a .705 OPS with 10 homers in ’23, Peña slugged 15 homers last year and slashed .266/.308/.394 (.701 OPS) with a career-high 70 RBIs.

He continues to work on his offense, but defense remains his calling card.

“This game is about improvement,” Peña said. “I’m going to try to go out there and build off last year and put together a more consistent season and more consistent approach. Like I said, just keep building and keep getting better every single year.”