As the Twins sift through their up-and-coming prospects in spring training, Samuel Perez, a left-hander, is quickly emerging as a sleeper with upside as a specialty reliever.
Perez, who turned 25 in November, has thrown three shutout innings this spring with as many strikeouts (five) as baserunners allowed (four hits, one walk).
If you're looking for a big-league comp, think Nestor Cortes of the Brewers. Cortes has carved out a nice career between the Orioles, Yankees, Mariners, Yankees (again) and now with the Brewers.
Cortes' fastball velocity peaked last season at 92.1 mph, but he's been a guy who has averaged 91.2 mph over his career. But despite not lighting up the radar gun, he has a 3.80 ERA and 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings over 568.0 big-league innings.
Signed as a free agent from Venezuela on June 3, 2021, after spending two seasons in the Angels organization, Perez has impressed with his exceptional control, solid performances and ability to keep hitters off balance with a well-rounded arsenal.
His impressive career WHIP of 1.04 is a testament to his ability to manage baserunners and minimize damage, a critical trait for any successful relief pitcher.
While his fastball may not be the hardest, Perez’s true strength lies in his ability to mix pitches effectively. His crafty, deceptive approach to pitching keeps hitters off balance.
By pairing his fastball with a solid arsenal of offspeed offerings, including a slider and changeup, Perez can make hitters guess rather than sit on a specific pitch.
This versatility gives him a major advantage, as he can adjust his approach based on the situation or the batter he’s facing. His ability to throw multiple pitches for strikes, regardless of count, enhances his effectiveness and makes him difficult to predict.
His ability to generate weak contact with his offspeed pitches, combined with his sharp control, makes him an intriguing prospect.
The fact that he is still refining his game means there is considerable room for growth, and his command could improve even further as he gains more experience at higher levels. His ability to consistently throw strikes has allowed him to keep hitters from getting into favorable counts, and it minimizes the likelihood of giving up big innings.
Ultimately, Perez is a sleeper prospect with significant upside. His solid control, impressive WHIP and crafty pitching style suggest he could develop into a reliable left-handed reliever for the Twins.
As he continues to mature and refine his approach, Perez has the potential to surprise many and carve out a significant role in the Minnesota bullpen for years to come.