Roberto Perez, Catcher, San Francisco Giants

Date of Birth: 12/23/1988
Birthplace: Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
College: Florida Gateway College

Roberto Perez, catcher for the San Francisco Giants, was first drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006 but he opted instead for college. Two years later, he was drafted by the Cleveland Indians.

Perez played in the Indians' minor league system from 2009 through 2014. During that time, he batted .236 with 376 hits, 97 doubles, 218 RBIs, and 420 strikeouts to 299 walks in 514 games. Although his offensive play was only fair, he had strong defensive numbers. As a catcher in 491 games, he made 443 assists, 4,039 putouts, and 37 errors for a .992 fielding percentage. He caught players trying to steal 38 percent of the time.

Perez joined the Indians for 29 games in 2014. He had a .271 batting average with 23 hits. In 2015, he batted .228 with 42 hits in 70 games. As a catcher, he made 42 assists, 568 putouts, and 4 errors in 69 games. He caught players trying to steal 41.9% of the time and he had a .993 fielding percentage.

Perez spent time on the DL in 2016, limiting his playing time with the Indians to 61 games. He finished the season with a .183 batting average. Defensively, as the Indians's catcher in 61 games, he made 29 assists, 476 putouts, and 2 errors. He had a .996 fielding percentage and he caught players trying to steal and impressive 50% of the time. In the postseason, he had 8 hits, including a double and 3 home runs, and 7 RBIs in 43 at-bats in 15 games.

Perez played in 73 games with the Indians in 2017. He finished the season with 45 hits and a .207 batting average. Defensively, as a catcher in 71 games, he made 33 assists, 664 putouts, and 2 errors. He caught players trying to steal 43.3% of the time. In the postseason, he had 3 hits in 10 at-bats in 4 games. He hit a home run in Game 4 of the ALDS.

Perez had a .168 batting average in 62 games with the Indians in 2018. Defensively, as a catcher in 58 games, he made 538 putouts and 5 errors. He caught players trying to steal 25% of the time, and he had a .991 fielding percentage. He didn't play in the postseason.

Perez finished the 2019 season with 93 hits, 24 home runs, 63 RBIs, 127 strikeouts to 45 walks, and a .239 batting average in 119 games. An excellent defensive catcher, he won a Gold Glove and a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019. In 118 games, he made 52 assists, 1,082 putouts, and 3 errors. He caught players trying to steal 40.8% of the time and he had a .997 fielding percentage.

Perez played in 32 games in 2020. He finished the season with 15 hits and a .165 batting average. Although his offense was poor in 2020, his defense was good and he won his second Gold Glove for his work as a catcher in 32 games. In the postseason, he had 2 hits in 6 at-bats in 2 games.

Perez spent time on the IL in 2021 with a finger fracture and shoulder inflammation. He finished the season with a .149 batting average in 44 games. After the season ended, he played in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

Perez became a free agent on November 5, 2021. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 1st.

Perez elected free agency on November 6, 2022. He signed a minor league contract with the Giants on February 6, 2023.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Roberto Perez
ESPN - Roberto Perez
Baseball Reference - Roberto Perez