Martin Perez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #3 prospect in 2013
  Signed for $580,000, Perez sped to Double-A as an 18-year-old. His progress stalled in Triple-A the last two seasons, when he posted a 4.86 ERA over 176 innings with pedestrian strikeout (5.4) and walk (3.9) rates per nine innings. Called to Texas in late June as an injury fill-in, he struggled to locate his pitches and got hit hard. Despite Perez's lackluster results, scouts continue to give him positive evaluations for his above-average stuff, compact and repeatable delivery, clean arm action and youth. His fastball sits at 91-92 mph and tops out near 95, and his low-80s changeup gives him a second plus pitch at times. His curveball ranges from the low to high 70s and often features depth. Perez gets hit when he falls behind, so the Rangers introduced a two-seam fastball and slider to his repertoire. That gave him two weapons with horizontal action and a chance to induce groundouts early in counts. While expectations for Perez have downshifted from future ace to solid mid-rotation starter, he's a reasonable bet to get there. He seemed to respond to a consultation with Rangers special assistant Greg Maddux during the season, where the two reviewed pitch sequencing and game planning. Perez could be ready for an expanded role in Texas in 2013.
• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #2 prospect in 2012
  Since signing for $580,000 in 2007, Perez has rocketed through the system and developed into one of the game's premier lefthanded pitching prospects. He reached Double-A at age 18 and finally mastered that level in his third stint at Frisco last year, then was the youngest pitcher in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League when he was promoted there in mid-July. Scouts rave about Perez's picture-perfect delivery and arm action that evoke comparisons to fellow Venezuelan lefty Johan Santana. There aren't many pitchers who can match Perez's pure stuff, as he has the makings of three above-average pitches. His lively fastball sits at 90-96 mph with sink, though he needs to work on establishing it more early in counts. He also throws a plus-plus 80-82 mph fading changeup and a sharp 73-77 mph curveball with good depth. Wavering command and inconsistency with his secondary pitches have held Perez back slightly. The Rangers have discussed adding a slider to give him a breaking ball that he can better control. Despite his smallish frame, they aren't worried about his durability. For all the attention given to his struggles in his first two years in Double-A and in his 10 PCL starts, Perez got to Triple-A at age 20. He needs additional seasoning at Round Rock but should contribute in Texas at some point in 2012. Added to the 40-man roster in Nobember, he profiles as a No. 2 starter.
• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #1 prospect in 2011
  After signing for $580,000 in 2007, Perez rocketed through the Rangers system to reach Double-A Frisco as an 18-year-old two years later. Along the way, he was often compared to fellow Venezuelan Johan Santana and former Yankees ace Ron Guidry for his short stature, big stuff and competitiveness. But Perez tasted adversity for the first time when he made the jump from the low Class A South Atlantic League, where he ranked as the No. 1 prospect in 2009, to the Texas League for a cameo at the end of the season. He got nervous, overthrew and didn't repeat his delivery well, posting a 5.57 ERA in five starts. He returned to Frisco in 2010 and posted a 2.45 ERA in his first six starts. But Perez was erratic from May onward, and a lower back strain caused him to miss a few starts in July and August. He regained some of his old form in a dominant playoff start, then carried his momentum over to instructional league. There aren't many lefthanders who can match Perez's potential with three pitches, not even in the major leagues. His fastball velocity has increased from the mid-80s when he signed, to 91-95 mph with good sink when he's at his best. He did sit around 89-92 for much of last summer before regaining velocity toward the end of the season. His fastball command deserted him at times, playing a major role in his disappointing season. When he got in trouble, he would try to reach back and throw harder. That caused his head to jerk, his alignment to get out of whack, his release point to vary and his control to falter. Perez does have an easy arm action with minimal effort, and his smooth delivery has always been one of his greatest assets. Filling the strike zone shouldn't be an issue if he resists the temptation to overthrow. Perez's changeup was his best secondary pitch when he signed, and Texas had him focus on throwing it early in his career so he could refine it. The changeup was his go-to pitch in 2010, a plus offering with sink and fade. He throws it with good arm speed and deception. He also flashes a quality curveball with sharp 1-to-7 break, though he showed less feel for it last season than he did in 2009, when he could add and subtract from it at will, varying it from 68-81 mph. He worried about curveball velocity at the expense of command too often in 2010. He needs to do a better job throwing it for strikes early in counts and burying it once he gets ahead of hitters. Some scouts worry that his small frame won't lends itself to durability, but the Rangers aren't concerned. Texas believes that the speed bump Perez hit in 2010 will help him in the long run. He's still just 19 and is on his way to having three legitimate plus pitches and becoming a true ace. He figures to pitch at the Rangers' new Triple-A Round Rock affiliate in 2011. The Rangers still believe he has the stuff to pitch at the front of a big league rotation.
• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #3 prospect in 2010
  The Rangers saw enough feel for pitching and competitiveness in a 16-year-old Perez to sign him for a $580,000 bonus in 2007, when his fastball sat in the mid-80s. Since then his velocity has jumped, and he ranked as the South Atlantic League's No. 1 prospect in 2009. His dominance earned him a mid-August promotion to Double-A, where he was pounded in his debut before settling down in his last four starts. Dubbed "The Venezuelan Gator" shortly after signing for his similarity to undersized former all-star Ron Guidry, Perez is more often compared to Johan Santana nowadays for his size, delivery, moxie and electric arm. He attacks hitters with a 91-95 mph fastball, and he's still maturing physically. He has exceptional feel for his sharp 1-to-7 curveball, which he can add and subtract from at will, throwing it anywhere from 68-81 mph. The Rangers directed Perez to throw a preponderance of changeups in the first half of the season to help him refine the pitch. He still doesn't turn the pitch over well and needs more consistency with it, but he'll flash a plus 78-82 mph changeup with good arm speed. When he got to Double-A, he got nervous, overthrew and didn't repeat his delivery as well. Perez has top-of-the-rotation upside, and he might not be far from the majors. He'll likely start 2010 in Double-A, where the Rangers plan to let him pitch deeper into games for the first time in his career.
• 
  Ranked Texas Rangers #5 prospect in 2009
  Texas signed Perez for $580,000, with one club official likening him to Ron Guidry and dubbing him "The Venezuelan Gator." During his pro debut he more than held his own against older competition, ranking as the top pitching prospect in the short-season Northwest League. Perez has a compact delivery and a clean arm action that produces 90-94 mph fastballs with life down in the zone. His tight, late-breaking curveball has good depth, giving him a second plus pitch. He has advanced command of both, and he does a good job pitching out of jams. He's fearless on the mound and mature beyond his years. Perez's changeup is a below-average pitch, but he has good feel for it. He's not big or physical, so his long-term durability could be a question. One scout said his arm action, ability to pitch on a downward plane and power repertoire reminded him of Johan Santana. The Rangers, however, would like to temper the enthusiasm about a pitcher so young and far from the majors. He'll probably begin 2009 on a strict pitch count at their new low Class A Hickory affiliate.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Texas League #4 prospect in 2011
  After mediocre performances in Frisco at the end of 2009 and throughout 2010, Perez returned and looked more confident and mature, both physically and mentally. He pitched a five-inning perfect game against Arkansas in April and moved up to Triple-A in July. His fastball looked firmer and his breaking stuff improved this season. He works from 90-93 mph with his fastball and has a hammer curveball that some said was the best breaking pitch in the league when it was on. His changeup is also an above-average offering at its best. Perez also did a better job of repeating his delivery, and he can dominate when he shows pinpoint command. He still needs to improve the consistency of his pitches but should be at least a No. 3 starter in the majors.
• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #12 prospect in 2011
  Regarded as one of baseball's top lefthanded pitching prospects, Perez has found rough going in the upper minors. He began the year with his third stint in Double-A, and after finally solving the Texas League he moved up to Round Rock--where he got pounded in 10 starts. Opponents batted .343/.393/.471 and hung a 6.43 ERA on him. Perez still has nasty stuff but is searching for consistency. His fastball ranges from 90-95 mph and his changeup can serve as an out pitch. His curveball also shows potential as a third above-average pitch. However, Perez is far too hittable for someone with his stuff because he lacks reliable control and command. He falls behind in too many counts and can't recover.
• 
  Ranked Texas League #5 prospect in 2010
  Perez burst onto the scene in 2009, dominating in low Class A and earning a promotion to reached Double-A at the end of last season at age 18, then returned to Frisco this season and compiled a 2.45 ERA in his first six starts, but he was erratic the rest of the way. He had just eight starts all year when he went five innings or more, and he spent time on the disabled list in August with a strained lower back, though he finished with a strong effort in a playoff win over Midland. Because he's just 19, scouts focus on what Perez shows when he's at his best, which is electric stuff and an aggressive approach. He has a 91-95 mph fastball with good sink, and he has the ability to reach back for more. His curveball is sharp and should be a plus pitch when he gets more consistent with it. He also shows good feel for a changeup. Perez had trouble throwing strikes because he didn't repeat his delivery. More worrisome to scouts was that he didn't miss as many bats and show his best stuff as often as he did last year. Some worry that his small frame will affect his durability, but his age and present stuff still give him the chance to be a frontline starter.
• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #1 prospect in 2009
  Fair or not, there seemed to be only one apt comparison for the SAL's youngest pitcher: Johan Santana. Everything from Perez's frame to his delivery mimic Santana. What's more, both are Venezuelan lefthanders who sit at 92-94 mph and touch 96 with their fastballs "Projection-wise, this kid is special," Hickory manager Hector Ortiz said. "He has the potential to be the next Johan Santana. I'm not saying he is Santana, but it's in his hands. He has all the God-given talent." By improving his changeup to a plus pitch, Perez took another step to support the Santana comparisons. He's confident enough to throw the changeup in any count and utilizes great hand speed to create deception. He also throws a sharp, late-breaking curveball at 75-78 mph. Perez made the most of his 80-pitch limit in each game and earned a callup to Double-A Frisco in mid-August. "There's too much in that left arm for him to not succeed at higher levels," Lakewood manager Dusty Wathan said. "He was pretty good. A lot of times I wished he was pitching for us."
• 
  Ranked Northwest League #2 prospect in 2008
  It took Perez 14 tries to earn his first pro victory this summer, but his season couldn't be considered anything but a success. After all, he was the youngest player in the Northwest League at age 17 and was making his pro debut after signing out of Venezuela in 2007. He finished seventh in ERA (3.65) and allowed just three homers in 62 innings. Small and wiry at 6 feet and 165 pounds, Perez nevertheless has two plus pitches. He consistently works from 89-92 and touches 94 mph with his fastball, and his power breaking ball may be the best curve in a Rangers system loaded with arms. Perez shows some feel for a changeup, a third potential plus pitch, but it's still a work in progress. He maintains good arm speed and gets good action on it, though it can be too firm.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #81 prospect in 2013
• Ranked Baseball America's #31 prospect in 2012
• Ranked Baseball America's #24 prospect in 2011
• Ranked Baseball America's #17 prospect in 2010
• Ranked Baseball America's #86 prospect in 2009

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Signed for $580,000, Perez sped to Double-A as an 18-year-old. His progress stalled in Triple-A the last two seasons, when he posted a 4.86 ERA over 176 innings with pedestrian strikeout (5.4) and walk (3.9) rates per nine innings. Called to Texas in late June as an injury fill-in, he struggled to locate his pitches and got hit hard. Scouting Report: Despite Perez's lackluster results, scouts continue to give him positive evaluations for his above-average stuff, compact and repeatable delivery, clean arm action and youth. His fastball sits at 91-92 mph and tops out near 95, and his low-80s changeup gives him a second plus pitch at times. His curveball ranges from the low to high 70s and often features depth. Perez gets hit when he falls behind, so the Rangers introduced a two-seam fastball and slider to his repertoire. That gave him two weapons with horizontal action and a chance to induce groundouts early in counts. The Future: While expectations for Perez have downshifted from future ace to solid mid-rotation starter, he's a reasonable bet to get there. He seemed to respond to a consultation with Rangers special assistant Greg Maddux during the season, where the two reviewed pitch sequencing and game planning. Perez could be ready for an expanded role in Texas in 2013.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Since signing for $580,000, Perez has rocketed through the system. He reached Double-A at age 18 and finally mastered that level in his third stint at Frisco last year, then was the youngest pitcher in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League when he was promoted there in mid-July.Scouting Report: Scouts rave about Perez's picture-perfect delivery and arm action that evoke comparisons with fellow Venezuelan lefty Johan Santana. There aren't many pitchers who can match Perez's pure stuff, as he has the makings of three above-average pitches. His lively fastball sits at 90-96 mph with sink, though he needs to work on establishing it more early in counts. He also throws a plus-plus 80-82 mph fading changeup and a sharp 73-77 mph curveball with good depth. Wavering command and inconsistency with his secondary pitches have held Perez back slightly. The Rangers have discussed adding a slider to give him a breaking ball that he can better control. Despite his smallish frame, they aren't worried about his durability.The Future: For all the attention given to his struggles in his first two years in Double-A, Perez got to Triple-A at age 20. He needs more seasoning but was added to the 40-man roster in November and should contribute in Texas in 2012.He profiles as a No. 2 starter.