Eury Perez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #20 prospect in 2014
  Perez has consistently hit for average and stolen bases throughout his career. He set career highs for doubles and home runs last year in Triple-A, while his stolen-base rate declined, but his game still is built around double-plus speed, a tool that sometimes draws 80 grades. His speed gives him excellent range in center field, where he is a plus defender. He also played left and right field well last year, and his 55 arm is an asset. Perez has a quick righthanded swing, and he hit the ball with more authority in 2013, but his power still rates as well-below-average. He has a chance to be a solid-average hitter, but he's a free-swinger with a career walk rate of just 6 percent, limiting his value as a table-setter. Scouts say he'll need to maximize his on-base ability by racking up infield hits. At this stage of his development, Perez seems unlikely to suddenly start taking more walks, so most evaluators view him as an extra outfielder. He'll be in the mix for a big league roster spot in 2014.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #7 prospect in 2013
  Perez hit .303 in his first five pro seasons and made great strides with his mental approach in his sixth, helping him advance three levels and earn a September callup in 2012. He improved his English and became a better communicator, implemented a plan for practice as well as games and did a better job staying within himself at the plate. Perez's carrying tool is his speed, which rates an 80 on the 20-80 scale. He's learning to make better use of it by maintaining a slashing approach at the plate, after trying to muscle up and pull pitches in the past--something that makes little sense with his well below-average power. He cut down his high leg kick and focused on hitting balls up the middle. He has good feel for the barrel and makes consistent contact, though he still needs to become more patient in order to realize his potential as a tablesetter. Perez has dramatically improved his pre-pitch positioning and reads, translating to well above-average range at times. He still gets late jumps and takes bad routes a times, however. His arm is solid. Washington's November trade for Denard Span leaves Perez looking at a reserve job in Washington. A little more time in Triple-A Syracuse could be good for him.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #22 prospect in 2012
  Perez followed up his strong second half in low Class A in 2010 by batting .345 with 21 steals last winter in the Dominican League. His hitting was inconsistent in high Class A last season, but he still posted a solid batting average thanks to top-of-the-line speed, which allowed him to rack up infield hits and bunt singles. Because Perez frequently looks to bunt early in counts, he often falls behind if he fails to get the bunt down. He's an aggressive hitter who needs to learn to be more patient. For two years, the Nationals harped on the need for Perez to reduce his high leg kick and if he can learn to consistently shorten up his stroke, he has a chance to be an average-or-better hitter because he does have good hand-eye coordination and contact ability. He has well below-average power but is strong enough to drive a few balls into the gaps. He's still refining his leads and jumps on the basepaths. Defensively, Perez has above-average range and continues to work on his reads and routes in center field. He has solid arm strength and good accuracy. Perez will advance to Double-A this year after getting added to Washington's 40-man roster in November.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #8 prospect in 2011
  After winning the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League batting title with a .381 average in 2009, Perez posted a .571 OPS Hagerstown in the first two months of last season. The Nationals were prepared to send him down to short-season Vermont once its season began. But after Hagerstown hitting coach Tony Tarasco and Nats minor league hitting coordinator Rick Schu worked with him on minimizing his leg kick and staying inside the ball, Perez caught fire and had an .835 OPS in the second half. Perez sticks out most with his well above-average speed, and he became a much better basestealer last year. He finished second in the minors with 64 steals and succeeded at an 83 percent rate, up from 67 percent in 2009. The Nationals challenged him to play shallower in center field and trust that his speed would allow him to catch up with balls over his head. He projects as a plus defender with an average, accurate arm. Perez isn't a power hitter, but he's strong enough to drive the ball to the gaps. He thrives when he slashes the ball to the middle of the field, and he knows how to protect with two strikes. He has become a good bunter. Perez profiles as a tablesetter with premium speed and strong defensive skills in center. He'll advance to high Class A in 2011.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #11 prospect in 2010
  Perez showed a patient approach and the ability to make solid contact in two seasons in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. Near the end of spring training in 2009, the Nationals gave him a spot start in a Triple-A game against the Braves and Tommy Hanson, and Perez made a positive impression with a multihit performance. He kept on hitting in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, batting .381 to lead the league as well as all players in short-season circuits. Perez has a wiry, athletic frame and plus-plus speed. Though he's not overly physical, he does have quick hands and strong wrists, and he can drive the ball to the middle of the field. He doesn't project to have much power but profiles as a quality table setter, especially as he improves his basestealing skills. He was thrown out in a third of his 24 attempts in 2009. He's a good bunter who gets on base by working walks and beating out infield hits. Perez is a plus defender in center field with excellent range and an average-to-plus arm, helping him rank second in the GCL with seven outfield assists. He figures to start 2010 in extended spring training before moving up to Vermont. If Perez keeps hitting like he did in 2009, he could force his way up the organization ladder quickly.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Florida Complex League #14 prospect in 2009
  Perez led the Nationals to the GCL championship, topping the league in batting (.381), on-base percentage (.443) and hits (69) while ranking second in runs (38) and third in steals (16). He has a quick bat and occasionally can put a charge into the ball, but his game is more centered on putting the ball in play and legging out hits. He fits the profile of a leadoff man with his plus-plus speed and ability to make contact, though he's still learning how to steal bases. Perez covers tons of ground in center field. He played errorless ball in his U.S. debut and finished second with seven outfield assists, showing average arm strength and flashing a plus arm at times.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Perez hit .303 in his first five pro seasons and made great strides with his mental approach in his sixth, helping him advance three levels and earn a September callup in 2012. He improved his English and became a better communicator, implemented a plan for practice as well as games and did a better job staying within himself at the plate. Scouting Report: Perez's carrying tool is his speed, which rates an 80 on the 20-80 scale. He's learning to make better use of it by maintaining a slashing approach at the plate, after trying to muscle up and pull pitches in the past--something that makes little sense with his well below-average power. He has good feel for the barrel and makes consistent contact, though he still needs to become more patient in order to realize his potential as a tablesetter. Perez has dramatically improved his pre-pitch positioning and reads, translating to well above-average range at times. The Future: Washington's November trade for Denard Span leaves Perez looking at a reserve job in Washington. A little more time in Triple-A Syracuse could be good for him.