4. Franklin Perez, RHP
Birthday: 12/6/1997 (20)
Acquired: Trade with Houston Astros, August 2017
Level(s): GCL Tigers East, high-A Lakeland
Statistics: 0-2, 7 GS, 19 1/3 IP, 6.52 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 9.8%, 17.1% K
When the Detroit Tigers traded away franchise icon Justin Verlander, Franklin Perez was the centerpiece of the deal. An injury-riddled 2018 took away Tigers fans’ first chance to really see the young fireballer their team had acquired.
Perez missed time with a lat strain and then had shoulder issues once he returned, leading the Detroit Tigers to shut him down for the year. He will be ready for spring training, and the Tigers hope to see him flash that big arm he gave glimpses of in 2017.
At his best, Perez works with a fastball that sits 91-93 and can touch 95-97 with impressive movement that sometimes can be difficult for Perez to control. The best offspeed pitch for Perez is a change that has been graded as plus with impressive movement low in the zone.
Perez works with a slider that he had started to really get a feel for in 2017 and a curve that’s been graded as fringe-plus. Getting the feel for his breaking pitches will be key for Perez as a big carrying tool for him is plus control, and the ability to locate his offspeed pitches is vital.
The Detroit Tigers will be cautious with Perez, but if he shows he’s ready to be pushed, they’ll likely allow him to push himself up to the upper minors.