Blake Perkins Stats & Scouting Report

AB	383
AVG	.24
OBP	.316
SLG	.332
HR	6

Full name Blake Alexander Perkins
Born 09/10/1996 in Litchfield Park, AZ
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 197 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Verrado
Debut 04/19/2023
Drafted in the 2nd round (69th overall) by the Washington Nationals in 2015 (signed for $800,000).

View Draft Report

Perkins, an Arizona State commit, brings a certain grace and smoothness to the field. The best athlete among all Arizona high school position players, he's got five tools with average-or-better potential. Perkins is a natural center fielder and seemingly glides to balls in the outfield. He sees the ball off the bat well, takes good routes and catches the ball easily. He's at least a plus runner with a smooth stride in motion and shows off a good arm in the outfield. At the plate, Perkins' hands work well and he's got good bat speed, with the ball jumping off his bat, but he needs to get stronger and tighten up the swing somewhat in order to become an impact hitter. He hits line drives to all fields and projects to have average power once he physically matures.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Track Record: After being drafted by the Nationals in the second round and signing for $800,000 in 2015, Perkins was traded to the Royals in exchange for Kelvin Herrera in June 2018.

Scouting Report: Drawing multiple comparisons to major league outfielder Jon Jay, Perkins best fits the profile of a fourth outfielder if he can make a significant improvement at the plate. He's a glove-first player, a plus defender in center field with mature instincts, excellent routs and an above-average arm. He controls the strike zone well, as evidenced by his 15 percent walk rate, but his 22 percent strikeout rate indicates that he needs to make more contact in order to take advantage of his above-average speed. He has no power. He also needs to improve his instincts on the bases.

The Future: Perkins will move to Double-A in 2019. He has to hit more to be a viable major leaguer.
During his first full season in the South Atlantic League, Perkins took strides offensively and has become more consistent at the plate. The Nationals are particularly excited about his progress out of the lefthanded batter's box, because the 21-year-old outfielder is a converted switch-hitter and natural from the right side. Perkins' production was similar from both sides of the plate in 2017, but he showed much more in-game power from the left side, hitting all of his home runs and triples. There's still work to do, however. His strikeout rate from the left side is significantly higher than the right, but he's making the correct adjustments and should be seen as a legitimate switch-hitter at this point. Defensively, Perkins is the most instinctual outfielder in Washington's farm system and as a plus runner with good routes, and he should have no problems impacting the game with his glove. His arm is more average than plus at this point, but he flashes plus throws at times and improved his arm strength this season. After a successful year at low Class A Hagerstown, Perkins' next challenge will be the advanced pitching of the high Class A Carolina League.
The Nationals doubled up on toolsy, athletic outfielders in the second round of the 2015 draft, selecting Perkins 11 picks after Andrew Stevenson. Perkins spent most of his first full professional campaign with short-season Auburn before moving up to low Class A Hagerstown near the end of the year. Perkins is still raw, but has five-tool potential and a habit of making the game look easy. He was a natural righthanded hitter most of his life, but the Nationals have helped him become a switch-hitter. He is still learning to hit lefthanded, but the early returns have been promising. He has more of a line-drive approach now, but should grow into more power as he physical matures. Perkins is a plus runner and takes good routes in the outfield, helping him cover center field with ease. He has played all three outfield positions as a pro, and with his athleticism and speed, he should be able to stick in center. He earns praise for his makeup and aptitude and will return to Hagerstown to open 2017.
Eleven picks after drafting Louisiana State outfielder Andrew Stevenson, the Nationals used their second second-round pick in 2015 on Perkins, another athletic outfielder. While still raw, he has five-tool potential and has a way of making the game look easy. Perkins was a righthanded hitter most of his life, but the Nationals are making the Arizona prep product a switch-hitter, much as they did with 2011 pick Billy Burns, a 32nd-rounder from Mercer who now plays for the Athletics. Perkins had tried batting from both sides of the plate during high school and impressed with his ability to do so in a predraft workout, helping pave the way for a full-time switch during instructional league. He has more of a line-drive approach now, but as he physically matures should add power. Perkins is a plus runner and takes good routes in the outfield, helping him to cover ground with ease. The Nationals used him in all three outfield positions in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in his pro debut, but he should be able to stick in center field. Perkins earns praise for his work ethic and aptitude. Look for him to make his full-season debut at low Class A Hagerstown in 2016.

Draft Prospects

Perkins, an Arizona State commit, brings a certain grace and smoothness to the field. The best athlete among all Arizona high school position players, he's got five tools with average-or-better potential. Perkins is a natural center fielder and seemingly glides to balls in the outfield. He sees the ball off the bat well, takes good routes and catches the ball easily. He's at least a plus runner with a smooth stride in motion and shows off a good arm in the outfield. At the plate, Perkins' hands work well and he's got good bat speed, with the ball jumping off his bat, but he needs to get stronger and tighten up the swing somewhat in order to become an impact hitter. He hits line drives to all fields and projects to have average power once he physically matures.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Washington Nationals in 2018

Career Transactions

Milwaukee Brewers activated CF Blake Perkins from the 10-day injured list.
Milwaukee Brewers placed CF Blake Perkins on the 10-day injured list. Left calf strain.
Milwaukee Brewers recalled CF Blake Perkins from Nashville Sounds.
Milwaukee Brewers recalled CF Blake Perkins from Nashville Sounds.
Milwaukee Brewers optioned CF Blake Perkins to Nashville Sounds.
Nashville Sounds activated CF Blake Perkins.
Milwaukee Brewers optioned CF Blake Perkins to Nashville Sounds.
Milwaukee Brewers recalled CF Blake Perkins from Nashville Sounds.
Milwaukee Brewers activated CF Blake Perkins.
Milwaukee Brewers optioned CF Blake Perkins to Nashville Sounds.