Milwaukee Brewers Have Found Valuable Utility Player In Hernan Perez
By Brad Faber
With a solid bat and the ability to play multiple positions, Hernan Perez has become a valuable piece for the Milwaukee Brewers.
In the summer of 2015, the Milwaukee Brewers claimed infielder Hernan Perez off of waivers from the Detroit Tigers. Though he had put up solid numbers in the Tigers’ minor league system, Perez had hit only .160/.189/.179 across parts of four seasons with the Tigers.
After being acquired by the Brewers, Perez had a solid finish to his 2015 campaign, hitting .270/.281/.365 with a homer and 21 RBI over 90 games. He had an even stronger 2016 campaign, hitting .272/.302/.428 with 13 home runs and 56 RBI. Though his on-base percentage and walk rate (4.2 percent) were a bit on the low side, he fulfilled his role exceptionally well. Perez also provided value on the basepaths last year, swiping 34 bags.
Perez has continued to swing a hot bat in 2017. Over his first 31 games, Perez has hit .277/.327/.535 (121 OPS+) with five homers and 16 RBI. His versatility in the field has also made him an important part of a Brewers club that has gone 20-17 to begin the 2017 campaign.
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As Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel recently pointed out, Perez rose through the Tigers’ farm system as mainly a shortstop. He also had experience playing second and third base. However, with Ian Kinsler, Nick Castellanos and Jose Iglesias in town, it was clear that he would have trouble earning a starting job. The Tigers also had another utility man in Andrew Romine.
In many ways, Perez became expendable. Prior to losing Perez on waivers, the Tigers’ logjam in the infield also allowed them to trade Eugenio Suarez and Devon Travis to other teams.
Perez’s Improved Versatility
Since joining the Brewers, Perez has learned to better assimilate himself to the outfield. He has appeared at a total of seven different positions during his time with the Brew Crew. According Haudricourt, Perez has put in a lot of practice and now looks like a natural in the outfield as well.
"“Any infielder can go stand in the outfield in an emergency. But they usually look exactly like that – an infielder playing the outfield. Pérez appears as if he has played outfield his entire life, taking the proper routes and getting good jumps on balls.”"
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Hernan Perez, who is still only 26 years of age, will not become a free agent until 2021. It certainly appears that the Milwaukee Brewers made an astute move by snagging him off of waivers nearly two years ago.