Eury Perez: Marlins 2022 Minor League Player Of The Year
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The only number on 19-year-old righthander Eury Perez’s final ledger that qualified as anything less than remarkable was his 4.08 ERA in 75 innings for Double-A Pensacola.
His pitching coach Dave Eiland knows that minor league ERA—and his 3-3 record—can be deceiving.
“But all the other numbers—WHIP, batting average against, degree of contact against, exit velocity against, first-strike percentage . . . all of that paints a better picture for Eury,” Eiland said.
In 17 starts for Pensacola this year, Perez averaged 12.7 strikeouts per nine innings, allowed a .223 opponent average and a 1.16 WHIP. He accomplished those numbers as a 19-year-old at Double-A.
Perez missed a little more than a month while dealing with soreness in the area of his right lat muscle that required an MRI. He made one rehab start for Low-A Jupiter before returning to Double-A for one more start before Pensacola headed to the Southern League playoffs.
Perez’s fastball averages 98 mph and has touched triple digits. His changeup, which comes in at 89-91, mph looks like a fastball and then disappears with late sinking action, and he also has a curveball and a slider, which need to be more consistent.
“But he’s not a finished product,” Eiland said. “He’s working on controlling his emotions when things don’t go his way.
“Eury can create downhill angles to both sides of the plate. But it’s been a challenge to throw up in the zone.”
The Marlins have marveled at how well Perez can repeat his delivery, especially at 6-foot-8, 220 pounds.
“What’s amazing is how clean his mechanics are and how many strikes he throws,” Pensacola manager Kevin Randel said. “His command is impressive for a big kid.”
“Eury’s a future top-of-the-rotation guy. Health is the only variable. He has the ability, and Eury doesn’t shy away from pressure.
“He likes being the No. 1 prospect.”
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