Martín Pérez (baseball)

Martín Pérez
Pérez with the Texas Rangers in 2017
Texas Rangers – No. 33
Starting pitcher
Born: (1991-04-04) April 4, 1991
Guanare, Venezuela
Bats: Left Throws: Left
MLB debut
June 27, 2012, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
(through September 23, 2018)
Win–loss record 43–48
Earned run average 4.62
Strikeouts 460
Teams

Martín Pérez Jiménez (born April 4, 1991) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Rangers in 2012.

Professional career

Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers signed Perez in 2007 for $580,000 as an undrafted free agent. While only making 15 short starts in 62 innings at Rookie-level Spokane, Perez went 1–2 with a 3.65 earned run average (ERA). Baseball America ranked Perez as the #17 baseball prospect in their top 100 for 2010.[1]

On June 26, 2012, Perez was called up by the Rangers.[2] The next day he made his first major league appearance against the Detroit Tigers. He gave up 2 hits and 4 runs while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning. On June 30, 2012, Perez made his first major league start, pitching 5 and a third innings and striking out five while only giving up two runs in a 7-2 win over the Oakland A's. On August 2, 2012, Perez was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock to make room for pitcher Ryan Dempster.

Pérez went into 2013 spring training competing for the fifth spot in the Rangers rotation (which eventually went to Nick Tepesch), but on March 3 in a start against the Mariners, he broke his pitching forearm when it was hit by a line drive by Brad Miller.[3] After making 4 rehab starts (2 with Frisco, 2 with Round Rock), Pérez was recalled to make a start on May 27 in a double-header against the Diamondbacks.[4] In his season debut, he went 5.1 innings, giving up 4 runs (3 earned) on 9 hits with 2 strikeouts. After the game, he was optioned to Round Rock. After 4 starts at Round Rock, he was recalled on June 22 to replace Josh Lindblom in the rotation.[5] Pérez threw his first complete game on August 11 against the Astros. In 20 starts with the Rangers, Pérez went 10-6 with a 3.62 ERA, striking out 84 in 124.1 innings.

On November 7, 2013, Pérez signed a four-year, $12.5 million contract with the Rangers that holds 3 club options, keeping him under team control through 2020. He received a $1 million signing bonus, and will earn $750,000 in 2014, $1 million in 2015, $2.9 million in 2016 and $4.4 million in 2017. The 2018 option is worth $6 million and has a $2.45 million buyout. The 2019 option is worth $7.5 million and has a $750,000 buyout. The 2020 option is worth $9 million and has a $750,000 buyout.[6]

On April 23, 2014, Pérez threw nine shutout innings against the Oakland A's to secure his second consecutive (and career) complete game shutout.

After several ineffective starts following the shutouts, Pérez was placed on the disabled list due to inflammation in his pitching elbow. On May 19, 2014, Pérez underwent Tommy John surgery to repair a partially torn UCL in the aforementioned elbow, which kept him out of action for the remainder of 2014. Pérez began the 2015 season on the 60-day disabled list to continue recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Perez hit his first major league hit on July 15, 2016 against Chicago Cubs' pitcher Kyle Hendricks. He hit a single to Kris Bryant. He had been hitless his first nine at bats.

On April 30th, 2018, Perez was placed on the disabled list with discomfort in his right elbow. He was activated on July 14th, replacing Alex Claudio, who was placed on the DL. [7]

Pitching style

Perez features a four-seam fastball that is regularly clocked at 93 mph, a sharp breaking curveball, and a change-up. His velocity is not that of a power pitcher, but his pitches have good movement. The speed of his fastball has increased since he was signed. Being as small as he is at 6'0" and 165 lbs, Perez may always be more of a finesse pitcher than a power pitcher even if he is able to consistently throw a mid-90's fastball. He is compared to be a cross between Johan Santana and Greg Maddux by Jason Parks of Baseball Time in Arlington.

See also

References

  1. ↑ " "Top 100 Prospects: No. 1-20". Baseball America. February 23, 2010.
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ Matejko, Ron (March 4, 2013). "Prospect Martin Perez breaks forearm". ESPN Dallas.
  4. ↑ Morris, Adam J. (May 25, 2013). "Darvish and Perez to start Monday's doubleheader". Lone Star Ball.
  5. ↑ Fraley, Gerry (June 20, 2013). "Texas Rangers juggle rotation: bring up Martin Perez, send down Josh Lindblom". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on June 24, 2013.
  6. ↑ Adams, Steve (November 7, 2013). "Rangers Sign Martin Perez To Four-Year Deal". MLB Trade Rumors.
  7. ↑ Siedel, Jeff (July 14, 2018). "Alex Claudio on DL with left ankle sprain". MLB.COM.
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