Juan Pérez (perezju01)

Juan Pablo Perez
originally listed as Luis Perez

• Bats Right, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 170 lb.

• Debut September 7, 2006
• Final Game August 9, 2013
• Born September 3, 1978 in Villa Riva, Duarte D.R.

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Biographical information

Pitcher Juan Pérez was signed by scout Levy Ochoa for the Boston Red Sox in 1998. At the time he was known as Luis Perez and was believed to have been born in February of 1981.

Perez began his professional baseball career in 1999 with the DSL Red Sox. He went 6-6 with a 1.94 ERA and struck out 107 in 70 innings while allowing 38 hits. In a pitcher-friendly league, it was not particularly notable. The next year, he went 3-1 with a 2.36 ERA, one save, 24 hits and 43 strikeouts in 34 1/3 IP.

Juan was 8-8, 3.58 for the 2001 Augusta GreenJackets before he went winless the next year for the Sarasota Red Sox (0-6, 3.78); he also became known as Juan at this time when he previously was listed as Luis. Moved to the bullpen, he had a 3-3, 3.82 year for the 2003 Portland Sea Dogs and went 3-4 with a 2.37 ERA and 18 saves in Sarasota. In 2004, Perez had a 5-1, 6 Sv, 4.14 ledger with Portland at age 25. He was on the World roster for the 2004 Futures Game but did not pitch. The next year, Juan had a 4-5, 1 Sv, 4.50 season with the Pawtucket Red Sox, striking out 74 in 62 innings.

Perez became a minor league free agent and drew a lot of interest based on a strong showing in the Dominican League. He was signed by the New York Mets and went 0-1 with a 2.86 ERA for the Norfolk Tides in 2006. He was placed on waivers by New York and claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates. After seven scoreless innings for the Indianapolis Indians, Perez was called up to Pittsburgh in September.

Perez was 0-1 with 3 runs allowed in 3 1/3 innings for the Pirates in 2006. With John Grabow injured, Juan made the Pirates' staff out of spring training in 2007. In Grapefruit League play, Perez pitched 8 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run, striking out 11 and allowing four baserunners only. His fastball had reached 95 mph. Perez pitched in 8 of Pittsburgh's first 17 games, but walked five and allowed 4 hits in 3 1/3 IP. He was charged with one unearned run. Due to his control and the team wanting to hold on to its long relievers, Perez was sent down when Grabow came off the DL. He went 3-2 with a 4.69 ERA in 40 outings for AAA Indianapolis and was again recalled by the Pirates in September. Overall, he posted a 4.38 ERA in his two stints in the majors.

As a member of the Philadelphia Phillies on July 8, 2011, Perez recorded his first major league win at the age of 32. To achieve this, he struck out the side on nine pitches in the top of the 10th inning before Raul Ibanez homered in the bottom half for a 3-2 Philadelphia victory over the Atlanta Braves.

Main Sources: 2000-2006 Baseball Almanacs

Related Sites

• Juan Perez on mlb.com¸