Carlos Perez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	408
AVG	.26
OBP	.344
SLG	.544
HR	27

Full name Carlos Eduardo Pérez
Born 10/27/1990 in Valencia, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 05/05/2015

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Lost in a logjam of catchers with the Blue Jays, Perez joined the Astros in July 2012 as part of the 10-player deal that sent lefthander J.A. Happ to Toronto. Something similar happened in Houston, where catchers such as Roberto Pena, Max Stassi, Tyler Heineman, Rene Garcia and Jacob Nottingham put Perez behind the eight ball. As such, the Astros traded Pena, along with righthander Nick Tropeano, to the Angels in November 2014 for big league catcher Hank Conger. The Astros liked Perez's defensive tools, grading him an above-average defender with good pop times on throws to second base and a solid arm. However, he still ranked behind Pena in those areas, and the players were too similar offensively to justify keeping both. The bat is the question with Perez, for he makes good contact but doesn't drive the ball due to below-average bat speed. Pitchers like throwing to him, giving him a ceiling as a solid backup catcher. He'll head to spring training with a good shot at replacing Conger as the Angels' backup to starter Chris Iannetta.
Signed by the Blue Jays, Perez was selected MVP of his teams in the Dominican Summer, Gulf Coast and New York-Penn leagues in his first three pro seasons. His career appeared to plateau when he hit full-season ball, however, and he got buried in a logjam of catchers in the Toronto organization. The Jays included him as one of five prospects in the 10-player July trade that sent David Carpenter, J.A. Happ and Brandon Lyon to Toronto. Perez immediately became the top catcher in the Houston system, though Roberto Pena has a bit better defensive ability. Scouts like Perez's defensive tools, as he's fluid behind the plate, handles velocity well and has a solid arm. He posts consistent pop times of 1.95-2.0 seconds and threw out 34 percent of basestealers last year. After slumping in his first exposure to low Class A in 2011, Perez rebounded last year but scouts still aren't sure how much offense he'll provide. He has adopted a contact approach that sacrifices power. His swing gets long when he tries to drive the ball, and his hands don't work as well at the plate as they do behind it. He draws some walks and has some strength to the gaps, so he's not an offensive zero. The Astros declined to protect him on their 40-man roster after the season and will send him back to high Class A to start 2013.
After being named his team's MVP in each of his first three seasons in the Blue Jays organization and ranking as the No. 1 prospect in the short-season New York-Penn League in 2010, Perez experienced his first adversity last year. A career .299 hitter heading into the season, he got his first taste of full-season ball. He struggled with the cold weather in the Midwest League early in the year, and the grind of catching 89 games took a toll in the second half, resulting in by far his worst offensive season to date. Perez still has solid catch-and-throw skills and projects to be at least an average defender. Quick feet allow him to get into good throwing position, and he has solid arm strength with a quick release. He threw out 29 percent of basestealers in 2011. While his performance last season didn't show it, Perez generally handles the bat well. He presently has gap power and may grow into more, though it will mostly come to his pull side. He controls the strike zone reasonably well. He's a below-average runner but has good instincts on the bases. Toronto isn't inclined to rush Perez thanks to its depth behind the plate, so he may repeat low Class A in 2012. The system's catching talent means he'll need to get back on track or risk getting lost in the shuffle.
Signed out of Venezuela as a 17-year-old, Perez has been named MVP of his team in each of his first three pro seasons. He ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the short-season New York-Penn League in 2010, adding to the system's impressive depth behind the plate. Perez doesn't possess loud tools, but his fundamentals and instincts help him play above his pure physical ability. His arm is a tick above-average, and he enhances that with quick feet that allow him to get into a good throwing position. He caught 36 percent of NYP basestealers. He has soft hands, though he's still working on his receiving and blocking skills after committing 13 passed balls in 44 games. At the plate, Perez has a quiet lower half and consistently puts the bat on the ball. He has gap power now and could develop average power to the pull side. He draws his share of walks and holds a career .412 on-base percentage in 167 games. He has average speed, surprising for a catcher, and the Blue Jays insist he has the best baserunning instincts in their system. With J.P. Arencibia at the major league doorstep and Travis d'Arnaud showing plenty of potential, the Blue Jays have no problem taking it slow with Perez. He'll make his full-season league debut with low Class A Lansing at age 20.
The Jays signed Perez as a 17-year-old out of Venezuela in 2008 and were thrilled with his performance in his U.S. debut last season. He ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and showed the potential to be a fine all-around catcher. Perez stands out most with his defensive skills. He has a plus arm, consistently records pop times around 1.9 seconds and led GCL catchers by throwing out 49 percent of basestealers. He shows a good feel for hitting, as his bat stays in the zone for a long time and he has better plate discipline than most teenagers. He's a good runner for a catcher and makes smart decisions on the basepaths. His receiving and blocking skills need more polish, but Perez is still young and has made notable improvements over the last year. He should develop gap power as he adjusts his contact-oriented approach and does a better job of incorporating his lower half in his swing. Because Perez is only 19 and hasn't played above Rookie ball, the Jays will take things slow with him. He probably will get some time in extended spring training and at Auburn this season before getting his first taste of full-season ball in 2011.

Minor League Top Prospects

A year after signing out of Venezuela as a 17-year-old, Perez ranked as the No. 5 prospect in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2009. He had a fine encore in the NY-P, showing maturity beyond his years with the bat and behind the plate. "He catches, he throws, he blocks balls very well," Auburn manager Dennis Holmberg said. "He's got a major league approach to hitting, he hits the ball to all fields, and he has very good speed for a catcher. Unlike most catchers that are below-average to well below-average, he's got tremendous instincts on the bases, reads balls in the dirt really well, he's aggressive first to third, makes the turn well at all bases. He does everything natural." Perez has a chance to be a standout defensive catcher, thanks to his soft hands, quick feet, advanced game-calling skills and average arm strength with good accuracy and a quick release. He threw out 36 percent of basestealers for Auburn. Offensively, he employs a patient, middle-to-away approach, and he routinely squares up balls and sends hard line drives into the gaps. He's not overly physical at 6 feet and 193 pounds, but he flashes occasional power.
Like Bethancourt, Perez shows the potential to become an all-around catcher. He has a consistent approach at the plate and keeps his bat in the strike zone for a long time. More of a contact hitter at this point, he should develop some gap-to-gap power once he learns to better incorporate his lower half in his swing. He has good plate discipline for a youngster and doesn't panic with two strikes. Defense is where Perez really shines. He consistently posts 1.9-second pop times and led all GCL catchers by throwing out 49 percent of basestealers. His receiving improved significantly this year, and his blocking skills also have gotten better. He's a good runner for a catcher and smart on the bases.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011

Career Transactions

Las Vegas Aviators transferred C Carlos Pérez to the Development List.
Oakland Athletics placed C Carlos Pérez on the 10-day injured list retroactive to July 2, 2023. Fractured left thumb.
Oakland Athletics selected the contract of C Carlos Pérez, and from Las Vegas Aviators.
C Carlos Pérez assigned to Oakland Athletics.
C Carlos Pérez roster status changed by Oakland Athletics.
Las Vegas Aviators activated C Carlos Pérez.
Oakland Athletics signed free agent C Carlos Pérez to a minor league contract.
C Carlos Pérez assigned to Las Vegas Aviators.