Michael Perez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	51
AVG	.176
OBP	.3
SLG	.392
HR	3

Full name Michael Perez
Born 08/07/1992 in Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Francisco Oller
Debut 07/26/2018
Drafted in the 5th round (154th overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011 (signed for $235,000).

View Draft Report

Michael Perez has an attractive profile as a lefthanded-hitting backstop with a plus arm. He's relatively new to catching, so his receiving skills are raw, and he doesn't have a lot of experience catching premium stuff. However, he has a short stroke and solid bat speed, and was the most likely Puerto Rico player to challenge Jorge Lopez and Gabriel Rosa for single-digit draft round consideration.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

After a big season at Rookie-level Missoula in 2012, Perez's career seemed to stall, but he had a mild breakthrough in 2017, hitting .279/.365/.424 at Double-A Jackson. Perez said a tip from former winter ball teammate Juan Ciriaco helped him stop being so pull-conscious. Coaches say he's also become far more selective at the plate. The adjustment led to fewer homers (six) but far more balls in the gap. For years, Perez has been regarded as a solid defensive catcher who throws and blocks well and calls a good game. He focused his efforts during the Arizona Fall League on improving his framing, particularly on pitches down in the strike zone. Some view Perez as a potential big league backup, particularly because he's a lefthanded hitter.
Perez signed for $235,000 after being selected in the fifth round of the 2011 draft, making rapid progress by jumping from Rookie-level Missoula in 2012 to high Class A Visalia in 2013. He wound up having a lost season, missing time in spring training with a fractured hamate bone in his wrist and then missing three weeks in May after getting hit in the face by a bat. Perez's aggressive hitting approach got exposed by the better pitching in the California League even when he was healthy. He was taking longer and loopier swings with Visalia and hit just .173 before being demoted to low Class A South Bend. Perez hit better there, but still struggled to maintain consistency. He remains the best defensive catcher in the system, and he improved his blocking of pitches in 2013. Despite his offensive struggles at Visalia, he threw out 43 percent of basestealers thanks to an above-average arm and good footwork behind the plate. Most notably, he improved his command of the English language, enhancing his ability to work with the pitchers. Perez learned from his adversity and ought to be ready for a repeat trip to Visalia in 2014.
Perez, who signed for $235,000 out of the 2011 draft, took a big step forward in his first full pro season, showing the skills on offense and defense to be a potential starting major league catcher. Perez is a free swinger at the plate, striking out 72 times in 225 at-bats last season, but he squares up the ball well, makes solid contact and uses the whole field. He shows enough power that he might one day hit 20 homers a season. He had limited catching experience as an amateur, so he has made significant strides defensively. He's calm behind the plate, his footwork and exchange are good, and he blocks well. He has an above-average arm that could get stronger as he matures, and he threw out 52 percent of basestealers last year, the best figure in the Rookie-level Pioneer League. While some had concerns about whether he was big enough to handle the everyday rigors of catching, Perez got bigger and stronger in 2012 and now has a solid catcher's build. Scouts note that he resembles Miguel Montero in how he goes about his business on the field. With a surplus of catching prospects in the low minors, the Diamondbacks could choose to give Perez more time in short-season ball, but he is probably ready for a full-season assignment to South Bend.
A 2011 fifth-round pick who signed for $235,000, Perez attracted the Diamondbacks because he's a lefthanded-hitting catcher with offensive potential. He signed in August and played in just seven pro games last summer, though he smashed a long home run to center field in his first at-bat. Perez has a short, fast stroke that gives him the chance to hit for average with at least average power. If his 10 strikeouts in 23 pro at-bats are any indication, he'll need some time to develop. That's true of his defense as well because Perez is relatively new to catching. He gave up 13 steals and two passed balls in five games behind the plate in the Arizona Fall League. He has solid arm strength but his receiving is still a work in progress. Perez isn't very big, so there are some concerns as to how well he'll be able to handle the workload of a catcher. He's not close to ready for full-season ball and probably will spend 2012 at Missoula.

Minor League Top Prospects

In his first full season as a pro, Perez displayed all the tools to become a regular catcher in the majors. He led the league by throwing out 52 percent of basestealers--the league average was 29 percent--while showing solid power potential. "For a complete prospect, there's not a better catcher in this league," Missoula's manager Andy Green said. Perez profiles as a .250-.270 hitter with 20-homer power. He's prone to strikeouts but has shown an ability to use the whole field and make adjustments, encouraging signs for a young hitter. Behind the plate, Perez throws well and has above-average receiving skills. His footwork and exchange are excellent for his age. He does need to get stronger to handle the everyday grind of catching.

Best Tools List

Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2018
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2014
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2013

Career Transactions

C Michael Pérez assigned to Reno Aces from Hillsboro Hops.
C Michael Pérez assigned to Hillsboro Hops.
Arizona Diamondbacks signed free agent C Michael Pérez to a minor league contract.
Tacoma Rainiers released C Michael Pérez.
Tacoma Rainiers activated C Michael Pérez.
C Michael Pérez assigned to Tacoma Rainiers.
Seattle Mariners traded C Blake Hunt to Baltimore Orioles for RHP Mike Baumann and C Michael Pérez.
C Michael Pérez roster status changed by Norfolk Tides.
C Michael Pérez assigned to Norfolk Tides.
New York Mets optioned C Michael Perez to Syracuse Mets.
New York Mets optioned C Michael Perez to Syracuse Mets.
New York Mets recalled C Michael Perez from Syracuse Mets.
New York Mets recalled C Michael Perez from Syracuse Mets.
New York Mets optioned C Michael Perez to Syracuse Mets.
New York Mets optioned C Michael Perez to Syracuse Mets.
New York Mets selected the contract of C Michael Perez from Syracuse Mets.
New York Mets activated C Michael Perez.
New York Mets selected the contract of C Michael Perez from Syracuse Mets.
C Michael Perez and assigned to Syracuse Mets.
C Michael Perez roster status changed by New York Mets.
New York Mets signed free agent C Michael Perez to a minor league contract.
C Michael Perez roster status changed by New York Mets.