Juan Pérez (outfielder)

Juan Pérez
Pérez with Águilas Cibaeñas in 2018
Outfielder
Born: (1986-11-13) November 13, 1986 (age 38)
Santiago, Dominican Republic
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 9, 2013, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
September 20, 2015, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
Batting average.224
Home runs2
Runs batted in13
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Juan Carlos Pérez (born November 13, 1986) is a Dominican former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants and won the World Series with the club in 2014.

Early life

Juan Carlos Pérez was born on November 13, 1986, in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Pérez attended DeWitt Clinton High School in New York City, and after not being selected in the Major League Baseball draft, he attended Western Oklahoma State College.[1]

Professional career

San Francisco Giants

Minor leagues

The San Francisco Giants drafted Pérez in the 13th round, with the 387th overall selection, of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. On November 20, 2012, the Giants added Pérez to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[2]

Major leagues

Pérez made his MLB debut for the Giants on June 9, 2013 at a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Pérez played in six games and received 14 at-bats during the 2014 World Series. He was chosen to start Game 7 in left field over newly-converted first baseman Travis Ishikawa, due to his superior defense. In that game, Pérez made an impressive running catch near the foul line in the fifth inning to rob Norichika Aoki of a double. The catch preserved a 3–2 lead, and Giants eventually won the game and the World Series.[3]

In 2015, Pérez played in 22 games, slashing .282/.300/.359 with no home runs and 2 RBI. On November 6, 2015, he was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and became a free agent.

After the 2015 season, he was selected to the roster for the Dominican Republic national baseball team at the 2015 WBSC Premier12.[4]

Chicago Cubs

On December 21, 2015, Pérez signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs organization. He spent 2016 with the Triple–A Iowa Cubs, where he batted .276/.310/.444 with nine home runs, 57 RBI, and 16 stolen bases across 117 contests.[5] Pérez elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2016.[6]

Detroit Tigers

On December 14, 2016, Pérez signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers that included an invitation to spring training.[7] He was released on August 8, 2017.

Acereros de Monclova

On April 23, 2018, Pérez signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican Baseball League.[8] He was released on May 4. Pérez re-signed with the team on July 27.

Rieleros de Aguascalientes

On July 16, 2019, Pérez was traded to the Rieleros de Aguascalientes of the Mexican League. He was released on January 24, 2020. In 28 games he hit .321/.392/.509 with 4 home runs and 17 RBI.

After the 2020 season, Pérez played for Águilas Cibaeñas of the Dominican Professional Baseball League(LIDOM). He has also played for Dominican Republic in the 2021 Caribbean Series.

Olmecas de Tabasco

On April 20, 2021, Pérez signed with the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[9] However, prior to the ALPB season on May 15, his contract was purchased by the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League.[10] In 62 games, Pérez slashed .292/.371/.388 with 1 home run and 27 RBIs. He was released following the season on October 20.[11]

Charleston Dirty Birds

On April 12, 2022, Pérez signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[12] In 44 games, Pérez batted .298/.352/.494 with 5 home runs and 28 RBI. He became a free agent following the season.

On June 20, 2023, Pérez re–signed with the Dirty Birds.[13] In 73 games for Charleston, he hit .282/.346/.440 with 8 home runs and 51 RBI.

Coaching career

On June 26, 2024, Pérez was announced as the head coach for The Vine Christian Academy in Kissimmee, Florida.[14]

References

  1. ^ "Death of friend Oscar Taveras overshadows World Series for Giants' Juan Perez - Sports Illustrated". October 27, 2014.
  2. ^ "Giants put Heston, four others on 40-man roster | MLB.com". November 20, 2012.
  3. ^ "Shifting Juan Perez Toward Left-Field Line In Game 7 Changed World Series For Giants". Sports Illustrated. March 23, 2015. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  4. ^ "DOM Roster". World Baseball Softball Confederation: WBSC. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  5. ^ "Juan Carlo Perez Stats, Fantasy & News | MiLB.com".
  6. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2016". baseballamerica.com. November 8, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  7. ^ Beck, Jason (January 10, 2017). "Tigers sign Minors contracts with 22 players". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 3, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
  8. ^ "Juan Carlos Pérez Nuevo Acerero" (in Spanish). April 23, 2018. Retrieved April 23, 2018.[permanent dead link‍]
  9. ^ "High Point Rockers Sign '14 World Series Champ Perez - OurSports Central". April 20, 2021.
  10. ^ "El outfielder Juan Carlos Pérez, fortalece ofensiva de los Olmecas". olmecastabasco.mx (in Spanish). Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  11. ^ "Mexican League Transactions".
  12. ^ Atlantic League Transactions
  13. ^ "Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions".
  14. ^ "Instagram".