Position: 1B/3B
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 198 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 08/12/1999
High School: Archbishop McCarthy HS (Southwest Ranches, FL)
Drafted: 2nd Round, 53rd Overall, 2017 (Astros)
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
Bonus: $1,600,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2024
Options Left: 1
Overview
The Astros drafted Perez in the second round as a hitter with power potential. Baseball America ranked him the 98th best prospect in the draft. Most teams preferred him as a pitcher, as he threw 95-98 mph, but Houston wanted him as a hitter. He obviously has a good arm, but his range and agility figured to be limitations at third, and he doesn’t run well. As a pro, he’s had decent walk and strikeout rates, with some power. He’s also struggled with injuries, starting with Tommy John surgery just after the draft, which the Astros knew about.
2018-21
Between the TJ, shoulder surgery in 2018 and the pandemic wiping out the 2020 season, Perez got only 209 plate appearances before 2021. Most were in the New York-Penn League and he struggled badly there. He stayed on the field in 2021 and put up an .849 OPS with 34 doubles and 18 home runs over three levels. That got him a #5 ranking in BA’s top 30 prospects for Houston and a spot on the 40-man roster.
2022-23
Perez missed nearly half the 2022 season with an oblique injury. He spent most of the year, when he played, in AA and had a mediocre season, with a .731 OPS. BA still ranked him 13th in the Astros’ system going into 2023. He went to AAA and put up just a 255/328/399 line. Surprisingly, in early August the Astros released him. The Pirates signed him to a minor league deal that runs through 2024. He got into 25 games with Altoona and nine with Indianapolis, putting up big hitting numbers.
Stats
Transactions
June 13, 2017: Drafted by the Houston Astros in the 2nd Round, 53rd overall; signed on June 27.
November 19, 2021: Contract purchased by the Houston Astros.
August 4, 2023: Released by the Houston Astros.
August 11, 2023: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.