| Perez showed off his speed to the world in the postseason, making an impact as a pinch-runner. He also provided several key hits, including an opposite field home run at Fenway Park, and played well defensively in the outfield for the Rays in September. When paired with Carl Crawford and B.J. Upton, he was perhaps the best pure athlete in one of the fastest outfield trios in baseball. The 26-year-old switch-hitter does not project to hit for any power, however, and needs to cut down on his strikeouts (156 Ks in 511 Triple-A at-bats).
Perez has shown impressive on-base skills throughout the minors. His 2007 performance in the Southern League really helped him establish himself, though, as he posted a .420 on-base percentage and finished with a personal best .901 OPS in 102 games with the Montgomery Biscuits. He still struck out in more than a fourth of his plate appearances (26.5%), however, and hit for limited power.
Before grabbing all of the headlines centering on his Ivy League degree and speed when he reached the majors in September, Perez had an up-and-down campaign at Triple-A Durham in 2008. He batted .288/.360/.393, with 17 doubles, 11 triples, five home runs, 86 runs scored and 43 steals in 55 chances. His 30.5 K% rate was concerning, though.
Perez has an outside chance to win the starting right field job in spring training if the Rays do not address the need externally. With his defense and speed—which will fit in with the Rays’ run prevention efforts—he will see significant playing time for Tampa Bay in 2009 even if the club does not land another outfielder this offseason.
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