Clario Perez

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

2009
DSL:  3-3-0, 3.69 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 46.1 IP, 1.9 BB/9, 6.8 K/9

Perez had a good debut, walking very few and posting a respectable K rate for such a young pitcher.

2010
DSL:  2-1-1, 4.56 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, 25.2 IP, 2.5 BB/9, 4.6 K/9

In his second year Perez didn’t pitch as well, with all of his numbers going backwards.  In both of his first two seasons, he pitched mainly in relief.

2011
DSL:   3-2-0, 2.12 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 68.0 IP, 2.0 BB/9, 4.1 K/9

As one of his team’s primary starters, Perez pitched much better except for a very low K rate.

2012
A-:  1-3-1, 5.94 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 33.1 IP, 2.7 BB/9, 6.2 K/9
A:  1-1-2, 5.84 ERA, 1.54 WHIP, 24.2 IP, 5.1 BB/9, 6.9 K/9 

Perez was expected to be in the GCL in 2012, but he didn’t make it to training camp due to visa issues.  The visa eventually got resolved and he was sent to West Virginia in mid-May.  He pitched in relief and struggled, mainly due to control problems.  In late July, the Pirates sent Perez down to State College and he made four starts and five relief appearances.  He cut his walk rate in half, but opposing hitters batted .299 against him.

2013
A:  0-2-1, 4.19 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 34.1 IP, 5.8 BB/9, 7.6 K/9

The Pirates held Perez in extended spring training until June, then sent him to West Virginia, where he pitched out of the bullpen the rest of the year.  He got off to a bad start, giving up seven hits and six walks, with just one strikeout, in his first 5.2 IP.  After that, he gave up just 22 hits in 28.2 IP with 28 Ks, although he still walked 18.  He didn’t allow any HRs.

2014
A:  4-1-2, 4.08 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 68.1 IP, 2.0 BB/9, 5.1 K/9

Perez was eligible for the Rule 5 draft after the 2013 season and wasn’t selected.  The Pirates sent him back to West Virginia, where he spent the season in the bullpen.  He made significant progress with his control, but the bottom fell out of his K rate and he had more hits allowed than innings pitched.  He had trouble with left-handed hitters, who posted an OPS of .768 against him, compared with .663 by right-handed hitters.

2015
A+:  2-3-3, 1.79 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 50.1 IP, 2.1 BB/9, 8.0 K/9
AA:  0-1-1, 3.89 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 34.2 IP, 3.9 BB/9, 5.5 K/9

Perez finally made it to high A and pitched very well, prompting the Pirates to promote him to Altoona at the end of June.  He wasn’t as effective in AA, falling behind hitters too often and seeing his K rate drop sharply.  On the season, he was a little more effective against left-handed hitters than right-handed hitters.

Perez just turned 23 at the end of the 2014 season and after the season he became a free agent.  He re-signed with the Pirates two weeks later and will probably return to Altoona.  He will, however, miss the season’s first 80 games due to a suspension for using a banned, performance-enhancing substance.