Former 'Dad Perez Named Rangers ROY

Hickory, NC - The Texas Rangers have named former Hickory Crawdads standout pitcher Martin Perez as their Rookie of the Year for the 2013 season. Capitalizing on his successful campaign, Perez also signed a 4-year contract with the Rangers with option years that could keep him in Texas through the 2020 season.

Perez, 22, was 10-6 with a 3.62 ERA in 20 starts after joining the Rangers rotation in late June, setting a club record for victories by a rookie left-hander. His win total was tied for the most by any American League rookie, while his ERA was second lowest among the league's first-year pitchers with at least 100.0 innings. Perez also ranked third among A.L. rookies in starts and innings (124.1). He won six consecutive decisions from August 5-September 3, the longest winning streak for a Texas pitcher in 2013.

A native of Venezuela, Perez was named a Mid-Season South Atlantic League All-Star while pitching for the 'Dads in 2009. The left-hander went 5-5 with a 2.31 ERA and 105 strikeouts over 93.2 innings pitched before being promoted to AA Frisco later that year.

Perez was one of five former Crawdads to make their Major League debut this season, joining fellow lefties Nick Tepesch (TEX), Joe Ortiz (TEX) and Robbie Erlin (SD), along with 2B Leury Garcia (CHI-AL).

 

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