Rafael Perez

Rafael Perez: Left-handed Pitcher

Age: 24 Height: 6’3” Weight: 185 Bats: Left Throws: Left

Stats & Stuff: Perez is a product of the Indians scouting efforts in the Latin American countries, as he signed as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2002. In his first season in the Indians system in 2003, Perez was named the Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year after posting a 9-3 record with a 1.70 ERA and .220 BAA for short-season rookie level Burlington. He moved up a notch in 2004 to Lake County and went 7-6 with a 4.85 ERA in 22 starts, and then really broke through in 2005 going a combined 12-8 with a 2.62 ERA at Kinston and Akron. Last year, he went a combined 4-8 with a 2.76 ERA and held opposing batters to a .213 BAA in 25 appearances (12 starts) at Akron and Buffalo. In brief action with Cleveland, Perez was 0-0 with a 4.38 ERA in the 12.1 innings he pitched, and he held batters to a .204 BAA.

The Good: Perez throws a powerful 92-94 MPH live fastball with great action. As he grows into his body more and fills out his frame the Indians feel he could add more velocity to his fastball. His slider is rated as the best in the entire system, and many scouts feel it will be a devastating pitch in a major league bullpen. Last year at Buffalo, Perez continued to gain confidence in the bullpen and improved his fastball command. In his brief stint with the Indians in 2006, the organization loved what he showed at Baltimore when he was first called up.

Perez’s arm slot and 3/4 delivery creates uneasiness for left-handed hitters where they can’t dig in against him. Late in 2005, for the first time in his career Perez was used out of the bullpen and he was dominant. In his seven relief appearances he posted a 1.26 ERA in 14.1 IP, and allowed only 11 hits and struck out 11. Situation-wise, Perez has owned left-handers. At Akron in 2005, left-handers hit only .133 (8 for 60) off of him, and last year combined at Akron and Buffalo left-handers only hit .122 off of him (12 for 98). In addition, lefties only had a .210 SLG% against him at Akron, and a .115 SLG% at Buffalo. Those numbers against left-handers are what make Perez such an exciting relief prospect.

The Bad: Perez is still transitioning to the relief role. Last year, the Indians worked with him in developing a more regimented routine in getting prepared for game action coming out of the bullpen so he warms up quicker. Things were speeding up on him some during his brief stay in Cleveland, and some of his problems in Cleveland were a result of mechanical breakdowns, and a lack of getting proper leverage on hitters with his pitches. Also, his ball was not on the required downhill plane and was being left out arm side.

The Outlook: When the Indians first signed Perez, they viewed his future in the major leagues as a left-handed reliever in the bullpen. Even though the Indians projected him as a reliever, last year the Indians continued to start him in order to stretch him out and keep starting pitching options open for the organization. While the door is not closed on him being a starter in the major leagues, the Indians have a great need for left-handed relief pitching this year and beyond. With how dominant he has been against lefties the past few seasons, for now his need is in the bullpen. Perez should compete with Tony Sipp and Juan Lara for a job as the Indians second left-hander in the bullpen, and is a heavy favorite to win the job.

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