St. Louis Cardinals: Delvin Perez’s drop on the prospect list

St. Louis Cardinals infield prospect Delvin Perez dropped 14 spots on the top prospect list. He ended 2017 as number six, but checks in at number 20 this season.

That would usually signify a fairly large drop in potential, but that might not necessarily true. There have been some setbacks in his development, and that is a huge factor in his dive on the St. Louis Cardinals top prospect list.

It was just a year and a half ago when I was writing about some pretty high level shortstops that Perez compares to. Things change in a year, but nothing as drastic as a 14 slot drop. So, what happened?

Career Setbacks

The first blow is actually how the Cardinals were able to draft Perez. Originally, he was thought to be a top ten selection, but a positive test for performance enhancers dropped him to 23rd overall. That was, at the time, considered an extremely great pick for the Redbirds.

Big blow number two came at the end of 2017. Perez suffered a broken hand early in August. As he healed, he wound up performing extremely well for Team Puerto Rico. A team managed by St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina.

What Has Changed?

According to his prospect profile on MLB Pipeline, there is worry that his lack of strength will not develop. The organization believes that strength will build, but even if it does not he is an excellent fielder with plus speed. The other good news is that he can draw walks, even if his contact is not all there.

Delvin Perez On The Field

In 2018, Perez is starting in short season A ball at 19 years old. At the time of print, he has played only a single game, where he went one for four, not that anything can be said about one game. Over the course of his career in the minors, however, the young infielder is hitting a few ticks above .250.

To nobody’s surprise, Perez has not homered in his professional career. But that isn’t his game. He is speed, and contact. A .256 is not an amazing number, but he is still very young. What he has done is flash the wheels to the tune of 17 steals, seven triples and 11 doubles. Plus, his career K/BB ratio is 53/29, which for a 19 year old is pretty darn good.

What Does The Future Hold?

MLB Pipeline is not sold on Perez yet. They say that he needs to show the skills that made him so highly touted, and then they can project him as a future everyday player.

I think he is showing some good flashes of that already. He is showing gap power, he is using his legs to make things happen, and he is being patient at the dish. Sure, he needs to put on muscle, but from an on the field standpoint I am seeing what I want to see. Not every teenager is going to hit like Vladmir Guerrero Jr.

Next: Five players that could make the Cardinals contenders

Overall, I am very impressed with Perez. He is still a great pick by the St. Louis Cardinals, and he is showing that in his own way. They didn’t draft a player who is going to knock 30 balls over the wall a year, but they drafted a guy who can be very productive and keep the line moving. Under 20 and in short season A ball is pretty good progress so far in his young career. He will be exciting to watch grow.