Rafael Perez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #11 prospect in 2007
  The Indians lacked a dependable lefthanded reliever in 2006, and they gave Perez a chance to fill that role. He acquitted himself well for the most part, but Cleveland eventually returned him to the minors and will try to develop him as a starter. He has flip-flopped between the two roles for the last two seasons. Formerly known as Hanlet Ramirez, Perez has electric stuff. He wasn't overpowering in the majors because he lacked command of his four-seam fastball. When he's on, he can run his four-seamer up to 96 mph, achieve run with his two-seamer and back both versions of his heater up with a put-away slider. It's a late breaker that arrives at 85-87 mph. Perez also has feel for a workable changeup, and the Indians believe it will allow him to eventually become part of their big league rotation. Perez lives in the lower half of the zone, making him a groundball machine. He'll begin 2007 back in Triple-A, where he pitched well out of the bullpen last year.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #13 prospect in 2006
  After winning a Rookie-level Dominican Summer League title in 2002 and Rookie-level Appalachian League pitcher-of-the-year honors in 2003, the lefthander formerly known as Hanlet Ramirez experienced a rough introduction to full-season ball in 2004. As he grew acclimated to the culture and more familiar with hitters in the States, Perez came into his own last season, helping pitch Akron to the Eastern League crown. He has electric stuff, including a 92-94 mph fastball with outstanding late life. He battled command problems with his fastball early in his career, simply because it has so much natural movement. As he fills out his lanky frame, his velocity should increase. Perez' slider grades out as the best in the system and features exceptional bite. His changeup improved in 2005, though it's not very reliable and thus he still profiles as a reliever. As he adds more mass to his lanky frame, his velocity is likely to increase. A breakout candidate, he'll start 2006 back in Double-A.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #29 prospect in 2005
  Known as Hanlet Ramirez when he first signed, Perez helped pitch the Indians to the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League championship in 2002 and earned Appalachian League pitcher-of-the-year honors in 2003. He was greeted a bit roughly when he made his full-season debut last year. His fastball did climb from 89-91 to 91-94 mph, continuing to show late running action. He projects to add more velocity because he has a lanky frame and his arm works free and easy. In addition to his plus fastball, Perez throws a nasty slider that emerged as a true out pitch last season. His changeup lags far behind his first two pitches, and was the main cause of his struggles. The consensus is that Perez will move to the bullpen down the road, and that certainly will be the case if he can't improve his changeup. He'll pitch in high Class A this year.
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  Ranked Cleveland Guardians #15 prospect in 2004
  A long, lanky lefty, Perez has produced eye-popping numbers in his two seasons with the Indians. He was known as Hanlet Ramirez when he helped his Indians squad to the 2002 championship in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. He was named Appalachian League pitcher of the year in his U.S. debut last year, leading the league in wins and ERA while ranking second in innings and fifth in strikeouts. He already throws an 89-91 mph, and has a projectable frame that should be able to add velocity. His fastball is effective because it tails away late from righthanders. His slider is tough on lefthanders, and he also throws a complementary changeup. His tremendous control of his pitches and emotions could allow him to move quickly through the minors, and because he usually pitches ahead in the count it makes his otherwise average offerings more effective. He mixes his pitches well and keeps hitters off balance. Perez needs to get stronger and prove he can handle the rigors of starting over a full season. Cleveland will give him the chance to do that this year in high Class A, skipping him a level because they have to determine whether he merits a 40-man roster spot after the season.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked American League #10 prospect in 2003
  Known as Hanlet Ramirez when he helped the Indians win the 2002 championship in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, Perez also excelled in his U.S. debut. The Appy pitcher of the year, he led the league in wins and ERA while ranking second in innings and fifth in strikeouts. Perez succeeds with a plus slider and a natural sink to his other offerings. His 86-88 mph fastball is effective because it tails away late from righthanders. He usually pitches ahead in the count, which makes his average changeup and velocity more effective. "His ball just disappears at the plate," Odor said. "The way he keeps hitters off balance is amazing. He mixes his slider and fastball to perfection."

• December, 2006 Scouting Report
  The Indians lacked a dependable lefthanded reliever in 2006, and they gave Perez a chance to fill that role. He acquitted himself well for the most part, but Cleveland eventually returned him to the minors and will try to develop him as a starter. He has flip-flopped between the two roles for the last two seasons. Formerly known as Hanlet Ramirez, Perez has electric stuff. He wasn't overpowering in the majors because he lacked command of his four-seam fastball. When he's on, he can run his four-seamer up to 96 mph, achieve run with his two-seamer and back both versions of his heater up with a put-away slider. It's a late breaker that arrives at 85-87 mph. Perez also has feel for a workable changeup, and the Indians believe it will allow him to eventually become part of their big league rotation. Perez lives in the lower half of the zone, making him a groundball machine. He'll begin 2007 back in Triple-A, where he pitched well out of the bullpen last year.