Delvin Perez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #25 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: After getting selected by the Cardinals in the first round in 2016, Perez struggled over his first two seasons in short-season ball before making his full-season debut in 2019 at Low-A Peoria, where he put up solid numbers albeit with little power. He impressed in spring training in 2021, then spent the season at Double-A Springfield, hitting .265/.322/.339 with 17 extra-base hits while providing steady defense at shortstop. Perez was not added to the 40-man roster following the 2021 season.
  
  Scouting Report: Perez never had much power coming into the 2021 season, but he added muscle and his frame filled out to allow him to hit the ball harder. The Cardinals were pleased with the improvement of his hard-hit ability, but he still managed just four home runs while playing half his games at hitter-friendly Springfield, and he projects for well below-average power. Perez needs to improve his plate recognition and bat-to-ball skills, which are both below-average currently. He is overaggressive at the plate, with a pull-happy approach. Perez’s value comes from his defense at shortstop, where he’s an above-average defender, a plus-plus runner who has above-average range and a plus arm, and he’s learned to play more under control.
  
  The Future: Perez will likely never be an everyday big leaguer, but he provides value thanks to his defense and speed on the basepaths. He’ll likely start 2022 at Triple-A Memphis.
  
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #12 prospect in 2018
  Teams considered Perez a potential top-10 pick in the 2016 draft, but he tested positive for an undisclosed performance-enhancing drug and fell to the Cardinals at No. 23 overall. He signed for $2,222,500. Nothing went right for Perez in 2017. He hit .194 at Rookie-level Johnson City and was demoted to the Gulf Coast League after 23 games. He struggled badly again in the GCL, and on Aug. 7 a hit-by-pitch broke a bone in his left hand and ended his season. Perez's strength and ability to impact the ball have disappeared post-PED test. He has good bat speed and can work a count, but he is alarmingly slight physically and shows zero power, even in batting practice. He is fooled badly by breaking pitches away and lacks the strength to drive the ball when he does make contact. He will bunt for hits and beat out infield grounders with his double-plus speed. Defensively Perez is a promising shortstop with exhilarating athleticism, above-average range, plus arm strength and smooth actions. He struggles playing under control at times but has improved. Perez's shortstop defense, youth and athleticism work in his favor, but he has enormous strides to make as a hitter.
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  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #3 prospect in 2017
  Perez was a top-10 talent entering the 2016 draft and the top shortstop available, before a report surfaced that he tested positive for an undisclosed performance-enhancing drug. Perez tumbled to 23rd overall, where the Cardinals pounced for a $2,222,500 bonus. Perez draws comparisons to fellow Puerto Ricans Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor with a lithe, quick-twitch lope that comes from high-functioning athleticism. He has 70 speed on a 20-80 scouting scale and movement in the field that match that quickness. He showed flashes of instincts, true hands, and above-average range, but also committed 17 errors because he had difficulty playing under control. Consistency will come when he syncs his raw skills. A project at the plate, Perez proved aggressive and able to drive fastballs. He was a pull hitter in his pro debut and undone by quality offspeed pitches. Scouts see strong hands and strong forearms that project for gap power, and maybe more. Encouraged by how he responded to why he dropped in the draft and how he gobbled up instruction, the Cardinals believe they may have a blue-chip stock in Perez. He'll get work in extended spring training before heading to Rookie-level Johnson City, a launch pad for prospects.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #8 prospect in 2016 draft
  After a few down years, the talent level in Puerto Rico has rebounded in this year's draft class, with Perez leading the way. He is on track to be the highest drafted player from the island since Carlos Correa went first overall in 2012. While Perez and Correa are both Puerto Rican shortstops, the comparisons don't go much further. There are few questions about Perez's ability to stay at shortstop; he shows first-step quickness, range to both sides, a plus or better arm, athleticism and smooth infield actions. He has excellent instincts and can make highlight reel plays look easy, though his quick feet and powerful arm can be difficult for him to control at times. Perez is not as advanced offensively. He is a plus runner with excellent bat speed and can hit blistering line drives, but his pitch recognition and plate discipline will need to improve to allow him to make consistent contact. As a result, he is one of the biggest risk-reward players in the class. Perez is not committed to college and will not turn 18 until November.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Florida Complex League #5 prospect in 2016
  Perez was in the mix to be a single-digit draft pick until he reportedly tested positive for an unspecified performance-enhancing drug in a pre-draft test. That caused him to fall to the Cardinals at No. 23 overall. He signed for $2,222,500. Perez separated himself in the draft for his quick-twitch athleticism and raw tools. He has 70 speed on the 20-80 scouting scale and a quick first step, giving him good range to both sides. He's an instinctive defender with quick feet, smooth actions, good hands and a plus arm. Still learning to play under control, he made 17 errors in 40 games but also can make the difficult play look easy, so like many young infielders, he's still learning to play under control. Perez's glove is ahead of his bat, but he hit well in his pro debut. With quick bat speed and good swing plane, he is adept at hitting fastballs. He is an extreme, dead-pull hitter and can get fooled on offspeed pitches. He has strong hands and forearms with a projectable frame, so he should be able to add to his gap power.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #86 prospect in 2017

• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: After getting selected by the Cardinals in the first round in 2016, Perez struggled over his first two seasons in short-season ball before making his full-season debut in 2019 at Low-A Peoria, where he put up solid numbers albeit with little power. He impressed in spring training in 2021, then spent the season at Double-A Springfield, hitting .265/.322/.339 with 17 extra-base hits while providing steady defense at shortstop. Perez was not added to the 40-man roster following the 2021 season.
  
  Scouting Report: Perez never had much power coming into the 2021 season, but he added muscle and his frame filled out to allow him to hit the ball harder. The Cardinals were pleased with the improvement of his hard-hit ability, but he still managed just four home runs while playing half his games at hitter-friendly Springfield, and he projects for well below-average power. Perez needs to improve his plate recognition and bat-to-ball skills, which are both below-average currently. He is overaggressive at the plate, with a pull-happy approach. Perez’s value comes from his defense at shortstop, where he’s an above-average defender, a plus-plus runner who has above-average range and a plus arm, and he’s learned to play more under control.
  
  The Future: Perez will likely never be an everyday big leaguer, but he provides value thanks to his defense and speed on the basepaths. He’ll likely start 2022 at Triple-A Memphis.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Early in his pro career, Perez lacked the physicality he needed to do anything with the ball when he made contact. But as he's gotten older, he's finally started to fill out, which has meant he's now hitting line drives in front of and between the outfielders rather than at the infielders. Perez's improved offense pairs with above-average defense at shortstop. He has a shot to be an Edmundo Sosa type for the Cardinals down the road.
• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Perez was identified as a top-10 talent entering the 2016 draft, and the finest shortstop available, before a report surfaced that he tested positive for an undisclosed performance-enhancing drug. He admitted a mistake that cost him millions. Perez tumbled to 23rd overall, where the Cardinals pounced for a $2,222,500 bonus. Scouting Report: Perez has some traits that draw comparisons to fellow Puerto Rican shortstops Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor. He has that lithe, lanky, quick-twitch lope that comes from high-functioning athleticism. He has 70 speed on a 20-80 scouting scale and movement in the field that match that quickness. He showed flashes of instincts, true hands, and above-average range, but also committed 17 errors because he had difficulty playing under control. Consistency will come when he syncs his raw skills. A project at the plate, Perez proved aggressive and able to drive fastballs. He was a pull hitter in his pro debut and undone by quality offspeed pitches. Scouts see strong hands and strong forearms that project for gap power, and maybe more.
  
  The Future: Encouraged by how he responded to why he dropped in the draft and how he gobbled up instruction, the Cardinals believe they may have a blue-chip stock in Perez. He'll get work in extended spring training before heading to Rookie-level Johnson City, a launch pad for prospects.