Oneli Perez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #24 prospect in 2008
  Perez started out as a hitter in the Padres organization, but he never made it out of the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League with them, even after moving to the mound in 2003. He was released, and the White Sox signed him in May 2004. Based purely on results, he has been one of the best pitchers in the system. He has gone 10-4, 1.45 with 25 saves between three levels the last two years, and was one of the top closers in the Dominican League in 2007-08. But the reality is that he's something of an afterthought for the White Sox. That's not because he's 24 and only now reaching Triple-A, or because he's like Antonio Alfonseca and was born with six fingers on each hand. It's because Perez can drive his managers a little loopy with his laid-back approach to conditioning and preparation, and because he always has been a flyball pitcher, which doesn't project well for U.S. Cellular Field. His approach on the mound is simple. He comes at hitters with a low-90s fastball and an average slider, thrown from a three-quarters arm slot. His key to success is getting ahead of hitters. His ratios have been excellent the last two seasons: 10.5 strikeouts per nine innings and 4.6 whiffs per walk. The only place he pitched badly was in big league camp before the 2007 season, where he got shelled. Perez could put himself in the picture for a bullpen spot this spring but has to erase the poor first impression.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #15 prospect in 2007
  The White Sox have produced few players from Latin America in recent years, with Carlos Lee and Magglio Ordonez their last real success stories. Perez is the type of find who could get their Latin operations moving in the right direction. Originally signed by the Padres in 2001, he was released three years later and picked up by Chicago at the recommendation of Denny Gonzalez. Perez has developed nicely after joining the Sox and put himself on the map with a huge 2006, posting a combined 0.81 ERA at three levels and finishing strong in Double-A. Perez' formula is simple. He attacks the strike zone with a low-90s fastball from a low three-quarters angle. He works ahead in the count, challenging hitters. His secondary pitches are works in progress, but his fastball/slider combination could be enough for a big league career. If he doesn't tire from his winter workload, he could earn a late-season look in Chicago this season and push for a permanent spot in 2008.