Beltran Perez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #25 prospect in 2003
  Perez hit a bump in the road for the first time in 2002 after three solid seasons in the lower minors, where he went 23-6 while working his way up from the Dominican Summer League through low Class A. He had trouble adjusting to the hitter's parks and more advanced opponents in Double-A. Perez has the stuff to be successful. He has a quality slider and an even better changeup, and his fastball tops out at 91-92 mph. He can throw his pitches for strikes in just about any count, his location is outstanding and he has a mature mental approach. That's why the Diamondbacks tried to jump him two levels, and though that didn't work, he was back to his old self once he was allowed to catch his breath in high Class A during August. With his tall, lean build, Arizona envisions him putting on weight and adding velocity, but he has gained just four pounds in the last two years. He might be best off by returning to high Class A and getting off to a quick start this year.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #10 prospect in 2002
  Perez has pitched with poise that belies his youth since Junior Noboa signed him out of the Dominican Republic as a slightly built 17-year-old in 1999. Perez showcased his best stuff in a pair of emergency starts in the high Class A California League at the end of the 2000 season, which was more than enough to convince Arizona that he could handle South Bend in his first full season. His fastball is average at best, sitting in the 86-89 mph range and occasionally touching the low 90s, but his arm action suggests there is more velocity to come. Though he's not overpowering, he pitches on a tough downward plane and has outstanding finish on his fastball, making it seem quicker to hitters. His changeup is a major league pitch already because his arm works so free and easy, but his breaking ball needs work. Perez hits his spots and managers rated his control the best in the Midwest League last year. If he doesn't add a third pitch, he'll be destined for the bullpen, but he has plenty of time to develop it as a starter in the minors. He'll work on that this year in the Cal League.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #29 prospect in 2001
  The Diamondbacks believe they have a potential gem in Perez, who signed as a 17-year-old and was assigned to the Dominican Summer League, where he was undefeated. Working out at the team's academy in the Dominican helped Perez prepare for playing in the United States. He arrived last year, leading the Arizona League club in wins while averaging nearly a strikeout per inning. He even survived a couple of emergency starts in high Class A. At this point, Perez' fastball and curveball are adequate but nothing more. He has a knack for making the right pitch at the right time, and he doesn't try to blow hitters away. Perez stands a strong chance to begin this season at South Bend and could move up to Lancaster if his stuff improves.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Midwest League #16 prospect in 2001
  The Diamondbacks have few legitimate starting pitching prospects in their system, so Perez' development in his first full season in the United States provided a nice boost. Managers rated his control as the best in the MWL, and he's more than just a finesse guy who lays the ball over the plate. Still a teenager, Perez can touch 92-93 mph with his fastball, which has nice life. Though his slider is inconsistent, it has the making of an above-average pitch. He needs a changeup or some kind of offspeed pitch, but had no trouble batting lefthanders because he spots and mixes his pitches so well.
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  Ranked Arizona Complex League #8 prospect in 2000
  Despite 25 walks in 48 innings and a 5.81 ERA, the wiry Perez was rated the Southern Division's best pitching prospect by both Almaraz and Carey. Perez has command of three pitches, and was used by the parent Diamondbacks against the Indians in the Hall of Fame game. "He has only an average fastball," Carey said, "but he has a real easy arm action and it could be a well-above-average pitch down the road as he fills out."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Despite 25 walks in 48 innings and a 5.81 ERA, the wiry Perez was rated the Southern Division's best pitching prospect by both Almaraz and Carey. Perez has command of three pitches, and was used by the parent Diamondbacks against the Indians in the Hall of Fame game. "He has only an average fastball," Carey said, "but he has a real easy arm action and it could be a well-above-average pitch down the road as he fills out."