Last week, the Braves signed utilityman Hernán Pérez to a minor league contract. He has been assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he’s already made three appearances. Pérez had opened the 2022 season with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League, but he was granted his release to pursue the opportunity with Atlanta after three games.
Pérez, 31, has seen action in the majors in each of the past ten seasons. He debuted with the Tigers but logged the majority of his playing time as a fairly regular utility player with the Brewers between 2015-19. Pérez’s best season came in 2016, when he swiped 34 bases and hit 13 home runs over 430 plate appearances. His production has steadily ticked down in the years since then, however, and he’s seen only sporadic MLB time with the Cubs and Nationals over the last two years. He spent most of last season with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization, hitting .273/.327/.418 in 58 games.
Even during his best days, Pérez made plenty of outs because of a very low walk rate, reflected in a .250/.280/.382 MLB slash line. For the bulk of his career, though, he’s shown solid bat-to-ball skills and plus baserunning ability. He’s also seen action at every position other than catcher, with the majority of his experience coming at third and second base. Public metrics haven’t liked Pérez’s work at shortstop or in center field, but he’s rated well in his time at second and at all four corner spots.
Atlanta’s starting infield of Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson and Austin Riley is well-established. Orlando Arcia, a teammate of Pérez’s for a few years in Milwaukee, is the top utility option. Pérez joins Phil Gosselin and Pat Valaika as experienced, non-roster utility options with the Stripers.
Soon he will be the third-best Braves hitter behind Riley and TD.
Hernan has most certainly appeared as a pitcher!
My favorite Hernan story was when he hit a couple of homers the first few times he faced Jameson Taillon and Taillon was asked what was up. He said he didn’t know, but he must be the Latin Babe Ruth or something. A nickname was born!
*WORLD CHAMPIONS
I have noticed the umps seem to be calling most Mets pitchers ball strikes but rarely for the Braves.
I think the umps are on the take. Bring in the robo ump strike zone!
#deepstate
Speaking of, does anyone else think it is dumb that a pitch that bounces then hits a batter is considered a HBP? The Mets have been the luckiest team in the sport and they had 1 today and yesterday to add to their lucky run.
I was thinking Hernan Cortes when I saw this
Leadoff doubles in multiple innings and can’t scratch across a run! SMH, striking out 10 plus times a game too. Seitzer and Co Ned to get these guys sorted out some way some how.
It’s may 5th. Settle down sally
Bottom third of lineup not doing a whole lot. Homers or nothing won’t cut it scoring runs.
The odds the Braves repeat are low to begin with and the hitting is far to streaky.
0-11 RISP. Frenchy and Chip put up a graphic to try to make things seem better in that the Braves are top 3 MLB in hard hit balls and exit velo with balls in play. However, these guys strike out way too much. I know a ton of players pitchers included are complaining about the ball and how it’s not carrying and the seams are different and so on but when you strike out 10 plus times get leadoff doubles and can’t get them over then in that’s a problem. Multiple players just seem in between at the plate. Late on the fastball out in front on off speed stuff. Bright spot, Kyle Wright dude pitched his butt off.
I agree Kyle Wright has been good and this is hopefully his breakout season. Albies/Olson/Ozuna/Riley/TDA also have been good. I was really hoping for a sweep against the Mets but things are not looking good. Braves need to get hot soon or we will be playing for a wild card. Personally I think the umps seem to be taking a call everything close to the strike zone a strike as well.
The Braves suuuccccccck lmao
Make him a two-way player or we riot.