Rafael Pérez (baseball)

Rafael Jerome Pérez (born May 15, 1982) is a Dominican former left-handed professional baseball relief pitcher. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians as an undrafted free agent in January 2002 and played with them through 2012. He lives in Freeport, New York, on Long Island.

Professional career

Cleveland Indians

In 2002, Pérez finished second in the Dominican Summer League with a 0.96 ERA. In , he was named Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year playing for the Rookie-level Burlington Indians, going 9–3 with a 1.70 ERA in 13 games (12 starts). His nine wins led the Appalachian League. In , his 12 wins tied for third in Indians organization and he had a 2.62 ERA in 29 combined appearances (22 starts) for the Single-A Kinston Indians and Double-A Akron Aeros. He was added to the Indians 40-man roster in November. In , Pérez went 4–5 with a 2.81 ERA in 12 starts with Akron, and was 0–3 with a 2.63 ERA in 13 relief appearances with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

On April 20, , Pérez was recalled by Cleveland when Matt Miller was placed on the disabled list. He made his MLB debut that day against the Baltimore Orioles, pitching one inning and striking out two. Pérez made 18 appearances with Cleveland in 2006, posting a 4.38 ERA.

Pérez was not expected to be a major part of the Indians' major league club in , but he surprised the Indians organization after he was called up from the team's Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, on May 28. Pérez was initially slated for long relief, but after he demonstrated his ability to pitch in tight situations, he was inserted into a setup role alongside right-handed reliever Rafael Betancourt. The two setup men were nicknamed Raffy Left and Raffy Right by local Indians fans. Pérez, with his hard fastball and tight slider, quickly became one of the most dominant relievers in the league. In 2007, Pérez was 1–2 with one save and a sparkling 1.78 ERA over 60 innings pitched in 44 appearances. He had a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of only .923, and held left-handed batters to just a .145 batting average. ESPN analyst Peter Gammons called him "arguably the best left-handed reliever on the planet."

In the 2007 postseason, Pérez was excellent in the 2007 American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, going 1–0 with a 1.50 ERA in three games. He threw six innings, allowing one earned run and striking out six. However, in the 2007 American League Championship Series, Pérez faltered, posting a 45.00 ERA in three games, with eight runs (five earned) allowed in one inning. The Indians went on to lose the series in seven games to the Boston Red Sox.

Pérez spent the entire 2008 season with Cleveland, going 4–4 with two saves and a 3.54 ERA in 73 relief appearances. He struck out 86 batters in innings pitched.

The 2009 season was a difficult one for Pérez. He began the season with a 15.19 ERA in 13 games, and was sent to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on May 6. On May 29, Pérez was recalled from Columbus after David Dellucci was designated for assignment. He was sent down again on July 8, and recalled again on August 7 for the remainder of the season. Pérez finished the season with a 4–3 record and a 7.31 ERA in 54 relief appearances.

In 2010, Pérez rebounded from his 2009 campaign, going 6–1 with a 3.25 ERA in 70 relief appearances. He led all Indians relievers in wins and tied for the team lead in appearances with fellow left-hander Tony Sipp. Pérez posted similar numbers in 2011, with a 5–2 record and a 3.00 ERA in 71 appearances.

Pérez began the 2012 season 1–0 with a 3.52 ERA in eight relief appearances, but was eventually placed on the disabled list on April 27 due to a strained side muscle. He was initially expected to miss up to six weeks, but suffered several setbacks, and he eventually underwent surgery on his shoulder in September. On November 28, Pérez was designated for assignment. Two days later, he elected free agency.

2013: Minnesota, Boston

On February 14, 2013, Pérez signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins. He was released on May 17 after appearing in only four games for the Rochester Red Wings and signed with the Boston Red Sox organization on May 23. With the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, he pitched in 25 games and was 2–2 with six saves and a 2.64 ERA.

2014: Texas, Mexico, Pittsburgh

Pérez signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers on January 18, 2014, but only appeared in four games for the Triple-A Round Rock Express before he was released on April 17. He spent the next few months in the Mexican League with the Rojos del Águila de Veracruz, where he was 3–5 with a 3.92 ERA in 10 games (eight starts). He signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 12, 2014. He was assigned to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, where he was 3–1 with a 1.77 ERA in 10 games (eight starts).

Seattle Mariners

Pérez signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners on February 12, 2015. He was invited to spring training, but did not make the team. His release was announced on July 2.

Chunichi Dragons

On July 13, 2015, Pérez signed with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball for the remainder of the 2015 season. He appeared in just four games with the Dragons, going 0–1 with a 1.64 ERA.

Tigres de Quintana Roo

On March 28, 2016, Pérez signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican Baseball League.

Long Island Ducks

On March 28, 2017, Perez signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent after the 2017 season.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Perez, Rafael
1982 births
Living people
Akron Aeros players
Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players
Burlington Indians players (1986–2006)
Cleveland Indians players
Chunichi Dragons players
Columbus Clippers players
Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Japan
Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in Mexico
Dominican Republic expatriate baseball players in the United States
Gigantes del Cibao players
Indianapolis Indians players
Kinston Indians players
Lake County Captains players

Long Island Ducks players
Major League Baseball players from the Dominican Republic
21st-century Dominican Republic sportsmen
Major League Baseball pitchers
Mexican League baseball pitchers
Nippon Professional Baseball pitchers
Portland Sea Dogs players
Rochester Red Wings players
Rojos del Águila de Veracruz players
Round Rock Express players
Tigres de Quintana Roo players
World Baseball Classic players of the Dominican Republic
2009 World Baseball Classic players