Fernando Perez (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Fernando Perez is an outfielder
is an American
professional baseball
outfielder
for the New York Mets
of Major League Baseball
.
, where he attended elementary and middle school and played little league. Perez played youth travel soccer for the Pirates and the West End Warriors of Mercer County, New Jersey
, winners of several state cup championships during his tenure. Perez attended the prestigious Peddie School
, a private high school in Hightstown, New Jersey
, where he was a standout member of the varsity baseball team.
where he studied American studies and creative writing, training he later used to become the first Major League Baseball player published in Poetry Magazine. At Columbia, he played baseball for three years before being selected by the Rays in the 7th round (195th overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft
. Perez was one of six Ivy League
rs on major league rosters at the beginning of the 2009 season.Perez is a fan of poets Robert Creely and John Ashberry as well as author Tom Miller (travel writer)
.http://www.tampabay.com/features/books/article866114.ece
in the short-season New York-Penn League, in for the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
Single-A team, in for the Visalia Oaks
and in for the Montgomery Biscuits
.
Perez was playing for the Triple-A Durham Bulls
in (for whom he batted .288, with a .393 slugging percentage) when he was called up to the majors on August 31. From April 4-October 4, 2007, he wrote a journal for milb.com.
In his five season in the minors through 2008, he batted .289 with a .403 slugging percentage.
Perez was called up by the Tampa Bay Rays
on August 31, 2008. In his first major league at bat. on September 5, Perez recorded a single off Toronto Blue Jays
closer B. J. Ryan. His first major league home run came in front of his hometown fans on September 14, at Yankee Stadium
. In 60 at bats, he batted .250.
He contributed to the Rays reaching their first World Series by scoring the winning run as a pinch runner in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox, tagging at third and scoring on a short fly ball by B. J. Upton
in the bottom of the 11th inning.
During 2009 spring training
, Perez was injured on March 10 during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays
after trying to make a diving catch. He left the game, and missed significant time during the 2009 season
.
He was activated from the disabled list and was called up in the roster expansions and filled in for the injured BJ Upton in September. He played the entire 2010 season with the AAA Durham Bulls.
with Matt Garza
and minor league pitcher Zachary Rosscup for Hak-Ju Lee, Brandon Guyer
, Robinson Chirinos
, Christopher Archer
and Cubs outfielder Sam Fuld
. He was released on July 8, after hitting .238 for the AAA Iowa Cubs and seeing no time in the majors in 2011.
on July 18, 2011, and was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
.
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
.
Early life
Perez eventually moved with his family to West Windsor Township, New JerseyWest Windsor Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of Census 2010, West Windsor had a population of 27,165. The median age was 39.6. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 54.9% White, 3.7% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 37.7% Asian, 1.0% some other race and 2.6% reporting two or more races...
, where he attended elementary and middle school and played little league. Perez played youth travel soccer for the Pirates and the West End Warriors of Mercer County, New Jersey
Mercer County, New Jersey
As of the census of 2000, there were 350,761 people, 125,807 households, and 86,303 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,552 people per square mile . There were 133,280 housing units at an average density of 590 per square mile...
, winners of several state cup championships during his tenure. Perez attended the prestigious Peddie School
Peddie School
The Peddie School is a college preparatory school in Hightstown, New Jersey, United States. It is a nondenominational, coeducational boarding school located on a 280‑acre campus, and serves students in the ninth through twelfth grades, plus a small post-graduate class...
, a private high school in Hightstown, New Jersey
Hightstown, New Jersey
Hightstown is a Borough in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,494.Hightstown was incorporated as a borough by an Act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 5, 1853, within portions of East Windsor Township. The borough became...
, where he was a standout member of the varsity baseball team.
College
Perez went to Columbia UniversityColumbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
where he studied American studies and creative writing, training he later used to become the first Major League Baseball player published in Poetry Magazine. At Columbia, he played baseball for three years before being selected by the Rays in the 7th round (195th overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft
2004 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2004 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
. Perez was one of six Ivy League
Ivy League
The Ivy League is an athletic conference comprising eight private institutions of higher education in the Northeastern United States. The conference name is also commonly used to refer to those eight schools as a group...
rs on major league rosters at the beginning of the 2009 season.Perez is a fan of poets Robert Creely and John Ashberry as well as author Tom Miller (travel writer)
Tom Miller (travel writer)
Tom Miller is an American author primarily known for travel literature. His ten books include The Panama Hat Trail, On the Border, Trading With the Enemy, and Jack Ruby's Kitchen Sink...
.http://www.tampabay.com/features/books/article866114.ece
Tampa Bay Rays
He played in for the Hudson Valley RenegadesHudson Valley Renegades
The Hudson Valley Renegades are a minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays. The team is a member of the New York - Penn League, a Class A Short Season league. The Renegades play at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, NY....
in the short-season New York-Penn League, in for the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays were an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the Midwest League in 2005 and 2006. The club began play in 1995 and was previously known as the Michigan Battle Cats and the Battle Creek Yankees. They played their home games at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle...
Single-A team, in for the Visalia Oaks
Visalia Oaks
The Visalia Rawhide are a minor league baseball team in Visalia, California, U.S. They are a Class A - Advanced team of the Arizona Diamondbacks operating in the California League and have recently agreed to renew their affiliation through 2012....
and in for the Montgomery Biscuits
Montgomery Biscuits
The Montgomery Biscuits are a minor league baseball team based in Montgomery, Alabama. The team is the Class AA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays and plays in the Southern League. The 2004 season was the team's first in Montgomery...
.
Perez was playing for the Triple-A Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
in (for whom he batted .288, with a .393 slugging percentage) when he was called up to the majors on August 31. From April 4-October 4, 2007, he wrote a journal for milb.com.
In his five season in the minors through 2008, he batted .289 with a .403 slugging percentage.
Perez was called up by the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
on August 31, 2008. In his first major league at bat. on September 5, Perez recorded a single off Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
closer B. J. Ryan. His first major league home run came in front of his hometown fans on September 14, at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
. In 60 at bats, he batted .250.
He contributed to the Rays reaching their first World Series by scoring the winning run as a pinch runner in Game 2 of the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox, tagging at third and scoring on a short fly ball by B. J. Upton
B. J. Upton
Melvin Emmanuel "B. J." Upton is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Tampa Bay Rays. Upton is a graduate of Greenbrier Christian Academy....
in the bottom of the 11th inning.
During 2009 spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
, Perez was injured on March 10 during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
after trying to make a diving catch. He left the game, and missed significant time during the 2009 season
2009 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champions – New York Yankees**American League Champions – New York Yankees**National League Champions – Philadelphia Phillies*Postseason – October 7 to November 4...
.
He was activated from the disabled list and was called up in the roster expansions and filled in for the injured BJ Upton in September. He played the entire 2010 season with the AAA Durham Bulls.
Chicago Cubs
On January 8, 2011, Perez was traded to the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
with Matt Garza
Matt Garza
Matthew Scott Garza is a United States professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball.-Amateur career:He attended Washington Union High School and Fresno State.-Minnesota Twins:...
and minor league pitcher Zachary Rosscup for Hak-Ju Lee, Brandon Guyer
Brandon Guyer
Brandon Eric Guyer is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.-Baseball career:Guyer played college baseball at the University of Virginia....
, Robinson Chirinos
Robinson Chirinos
Robinson David Chirinos Gonzalez is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the Tampa Bay Rays.Following the 2010 season, Chirinos was add to the Cubs 40-man roster....
, Christopher Archer
Christopher Archer
Christopher Archer is an American professional baseball pitcher in Tampa Bay Rays organization...
and Cubs outfielder Sam Fuld
Sam Fuld
Samuel Babson "Sam" Fuld is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball....
. He was released on July 8, after hitting .238 for the AAA Iowa Cubs and seeing no time in the majors in 2011.
New York Mets
Perez signed a minor league contract with the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
on July 18, 2011, and was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
.