Blue Jays Nation’s Mid-Season Prospect Countdown – No. 12: Fernando Pérez

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Sep 16, 2024, 18:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 16, 2024, 17:04 EDT

One of the fastest rising pitching prospects got another boost in our top prospect countdown!

This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual Mid-Season top prospect list, where we’ll look at the 35 best prospects in the Blue Jays system. We’ll look at the player’s stats, my observations, and other publication’s scouting reports if available.

Let’s take a look at our 12th-best prospect, Fernando Pérez!

Getting to know Fernando Pérez…

Position: Starting pitcher

Throws: Right

Born: February 12, 2004

Acquired: 2022 International Free Agency

Previous ranking: 45

Right-handed pitcher Fernando Pérez signed with the Blue Jays for $10,000 during the 2022 International Free Agency period. He immediately became a prospect worth monitoring in 2022, as he posted a 4.53 ERA and a 3.42 FIP in 43.2 innings pitched with the Dominican Summer League Jays, along with a 24.9 K% and a 2.6 BB%.

Moving stateside in 2023, Pérez had a 2.72 ERA and a 3 FIP in 49.2 innings pitched in the Florida Complex League, along with a 29.2 K% and a 6.2 BB%. After the 2023 season, he regularly ranked as one of Toronto’s top 30 prospects for multiple publications.

The 20-year-old proved he deserved his ranking as he moved to the “A” level affiliates, posting a 4.06 ERA and a 3.47 FIP in 82 innings pitched with the Dunedin Blue Jays. Moreover, he had a 25.8 K% and a 7.2 BB%, and was the Blue Jays’ representative in the All-Star Futures game, although he didn’t pitch in it.

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OFFICIAL: RHP Fernando Perez 🇳🇮 has been named to the @MLB All-Star #FuturesGame! ⭐️ 🔹 Threw a combined no-hitter in 2023 🔹 Threw an immaculate inning in 2024 🔹 Has a 3.60 ERA with Dunedin 🔹 2nd in our system with 70 IP

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2:07 PM · Jul 2, 2024

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Pérez ranks as MLB Pipeline’s 11th-best Blue Jays prospect in their mid-season update. The 20-year-old sits 93-94 mph with the fastball and tops out even higher, paired with a mid-80s slider and a curveball and changeup. Throughout his minor league career, he’s also shown a tremendous ability to throw strikes and avoid walks. He has a good feel for his pitches, an encouraging sign, and if his stuff gets better, the sky’s the limit.