Rangers Top Prospects: #3 Martin Perez

 

It has been a slow and steady journey for Perez in his short career. At every stop, the Venezuelan lefty has had high praise but mixed results. Signed as a 17-year-old, Perez spent 2008 with short-season Spokane and split 2009 with Class-A Hickory and AA Frisco. It was there he got “stuck” for 43 starts over three seasons. During that span, Perez came in at Nos. 86, 17 and 24 in Baseball America’s top 100 prospects list, all while his ERAs came in above 5.00.

Then came 2011 and the breakout. Skipped by Neil Ramirez for a chance to move to Class AAA Round Rock, the Perez put together his finest season yet. He pitched to a 4-2 record with a 3.16 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 17 games for the Roughriders. After a promotion to the Express, the 20-year-old struggled again against the tougher competition. In ten starts with the Express, he had a 6.43 ERA with only 37 strikeouts to 20 walks.

Scouts love Perez for many reasons: he is left-handed, he can strike people out and he has a solid frame at six-feet and 180 lbs. For those reasons he will be given every chance to succeed and move along in the system. However, he does gives up a lot of base-runners and is prone to big innings.

Many believe the time is now for Perez. Although only 20, the Rangers have let him struggle against good hitters in older leagues for a few years. He will more than likely start the season in Round Rock as a top starter. A solid season and he could see time in Arlington. A tough season and he will be in AAA for an extended time. He is already on the 40-man roster so a call-up for a cup of coffee is likely if the major league rotation suffers as many injuries as it did in 2010. A cameo in the Rangers’ bullpen is also possible.