Ryan Perry Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Ryan Keith Perry
Born 02/13/1987 in Pomona, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 215 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Arizona
Debut 04/08/2009
Drafted in the 1st round (21st overall) by the Detroit Tigers in 2008 (signed for $1,480,000).

View Draft Report

Arizona coaches started getting excited about Perry last spring, when his velocity jumped into the mid-90s, but they had to wait on him after Perry was injured in a motorcycle accident, falling onto his left (non-throwing) arm and breaking a bone. He recovered in time to take the Cape Cod League by storm, pushing his fastball up to 98 mph in the league all-star game and sitting at 94-96 as a starter with a loose arm action. He started his junior season high on draft boards and in Arizona's rotation but got lit up early as a starter. Scouts say Perry's fastball, while a plus-plus pitch for to its velocity, lacks deception and hitters sit on it, especially when he's starting and struggles to locate his offspeed stuff. When he's going well, he adds a second plus pitch in a slider that one scout compared to that of Phillies closer Brad Lidge. Perry's changeup shows enough potential to make scouts consider him as a starter, but he's been much more effective out of the bullpen. His fastball lacks life and needs the extra velocity he gets out of the bullpen. He's still expected to go in the first round, and most clubs figure to give him a chance to start because his arm is so good.

Top Rankings

Perry was a shortstop when he enrolled at Arizona, but left as one of the hardest throwers in the amateur ranks. He has relatively little experience as a pitcher--and missed half his sophomore season because of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident--but his electrifying arm sets him apart. He reached 100 mph on radar guns before and after signing with the Tigers for $1.48 million as the 21st overall pick in the 2008 draft. Perry is a tall, imposing figure on the mound, with tremendous arm strength and dominant stuff. His four-seam fastball sits at 97-98 mph. He recently has developed a mid-90s two-seamer with sink and can put hitters away with a power slider in the high-80s. Loose, easy arm action adds to his appeal. He has strong makeup and wants the ball. Inconsistent command prevented Perry from succeeding as a starter at Arizona, and in his pro debut he tended to throw the ball over the heart of the plate when he fell behind in the count. His delivery is clean, but his front shoulder opens early on occasion. He has a changeup in his repertoire, though it's not fully developed. The Tigers plan to let Perry continue developing as a reliever, and he projects as a possible closer. Given the inconsistency of the Detroit bullpen last season, he could reach the majors in 2009.