Carlos Perez
| IP | 238 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 5.256 |
| WHIP | 1.643 |
| BB/9 | 5.521 |
| SO/9 | 8.092 |
- Full name Carlos Joel Perez
- Born 11/20/1991 in El De Haina, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: L
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Since he rated as the Appalachian League's top prospect in 2010, Perez's development has gone much more slowly than the Braves anticipated. He has bounced between Rome and Danville, battling his control and confidence while displaying an inability to repeat his delivery. His fastball dipped to the upper 80s in 2011 before returning to 91-95 mph last year. His curveball also showed tighter spin, though his changeup remains a distant third pitch. Perez's confidence is shaky, but he responded well after moving to the bullpen following a demotion to the Appy League last summer. He's still just 21, so time is on his side, but he needs to show he can clear the hurdle of low Class A this year in his new role. His inability to do so to this point led to Atlanta's decision to leave him off its 40-man roster this offseason. -
After signing for $600,000 in 2008 and earning top-prospect honors in the Appalachian League in 2010, Perez looked liked the Braves' next international pitching phenom. But his stuff and poise regressed last year in low Class A, and he struggled with his control and command. Perez worked in the low 90s and touched 94 mph with his fastball in the Appy League, but mostly pitched at 86-89 in 2011. Scouts noted the sloppy front side in his delivery, which limited his arm speed. He didn't attack hitters like he had in the past, fell behind in the count and too often left the ball over the middle of the plate. Perez tightened the spin on his curveball in 2010 but it lacked consistency last year. The same was true of his changeup, which shows good fade at times. He's still just 20, so the Braves will send him back to Rome and hope he learns from his mistakes. He still has the upside of a No. 3 starter if he can figure everything out. -
Perez signed in 2008 out of the Dominican Republic for $600,000, which could prove to be a steal considering the rapid progress he has shown. He overpowered the Appalachian League last year, earning recognition as the circuit's top prospect, then made two starts in low Class A before a right rib fracture sidelined him. Perez combines everything scouts want to see in a young pitcher, including stuff, poise and intelligence. His fastball sits in the low 90s and touches 94 mph. He works both sides of the plate, as well as the top and bottom of the strike zone. He tightened the spin on his breaking ball last year, inducing batters to chase it out of the strike zone. When he had feel for his changeup, he pitched with more confidence and hitters got few good swings against him. He still needs to improve the consistency of his secondary pitches. Perez is a hard worker who wants to be the best. He does an excellent job of holding runners with his quick delivery and above-average pickoff move. Scheduled to return to Rome to open 2011, he could move quickly.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Perez worked with the same Dominican trainer, Edgar Mercedes, who delivered righthander Michael Ynoa to the Athletics for $4.25 million in 2008. The Braves signed Perez for $600,000, making him a relative value in light of his rapid ascension to low Class A in late July. A right rib fracture ended his season after just two starts with Rome. He streaked across the Appy landscape, allowing just eight runs in six starts. Perez sits in the low 90s and can touch 94 mph, and his projectable 6-foot-2 frame leaves ample room to dream on more velocity. He throws his hard curve more as a chase pitch, but he ought to throw more called strikes with experience. His fringy changeup is strictly a third pitch but will be a point of emphasis going forward. He maintained velocity from the stretch, and one opposing manager clocked him as fast as 1.05 seconds to the plate. Coupled with his quick move to first, that makes him difficult to run on. "He was here for a bit, but he didn't belong in this league," Pulaski manger Eddie Menchaca said. "He's got a power arm and great poise--in, up, down, away with every pitch. He's probably the best I saw here."
