The young Dominican lefthander Wilfredo Perez is my choice as this week’s Shorebird of the Week. Despite the fact he’s had just three outings since being brought up from extended spring training May 6th (when this photo was taken it was his Shorebird debut), he’s done an impressive job in two of the three, not allowing a hit until he took the loss Monday at Hagerstown. Very impressively he’s managed 14 strikeouts in just 7 2/3 innings, while allowing just 2 hits.
The 22 year old worked a limited time with Aberdeen last season, appearing in 7 games (5 as a starter) and wrapped up 2006 with a 1-1 record and 3.28 ERA. So this is his first experience at a full-season level, and thus far left-handed hitters in the SAL don’t like him much because they’re batting a big fat zero against his offerings. Based on 3 1/3 innings pitched against lefties with one unearned run allowed, that leads me to surmise they are 0 for 11 against Perez, the run reaching on an error.
If Wilfredo continues to eat up lefties like this, don’t be surprised if he’s not in an Orioles uniform in a few seasons. Guys who can get lefties out are always in demand and if Perez stays healthy there’s no reason to doubt he’ll have a long career if he can excel at that specialty.
