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Chris Perez, who is being cultivated as the Cardinals' closer of the future, has the big arm and biting breaking ball that could wedge him into conversations about the present.
The righthander with the 98 mph fastball was one of the first pitchers to throw to hitters this spring training, as he and three other prospects did Sunday. Manager Tony La Russa said Perez has caught his attention and agreed that the pitcher will get a chance to make the big-league roster, akin to top outfield prospect Colby Rasmus.
"He's getting enough attention to where at some point he should pitch in the big leagues, a bit like Colby," La Russa said. "That may take him awhile for the command and all that stuff to come around. If it comes around quickly, he certainly has the physical ability. So we're just going to watch him."
Perez, 22, throws a fastball that routinely zips in the high 90s. Though he showed good command of a curveball Sunday, his better-looking breaking is a hard slider that he throws in the high 80's
Perez said Class AAA hitters last year were taking his slider and cheating to catch up with his fastball, so he wants a third, slower pitch to foil timing. He's test-driving the curve. He'll probably add another change, ditching his windup after pitching coach Dave Duncan told the righthander Sunday that he should pitch only from the stretch from now on.
That could help with his command, the one dent in his résumé.
"Sometimes the light bulb goes on," Perez said. "It could be tonight, it could be tomorrow, could be in a week. ... I know it's what I have to improve."
Perez struck out 62 batters in 40 2/3 innings at Class AA last season, and 15 batters in 14 innings at Class AAA Memphis. But he also walked 41 batters, including 13 at Memphis. The righthander, a 2006 draft pick, will get innings in major-league exhibition games, La Russa said, but does have a significant hurdle to clear before moving from the "interested in" tier to La Russa's "seriously considering."
The Cardinals don't have an opening for a short reliever.
For now, watching Perez is different from wanting Perez.
"It's hard to envision based on what he's capable of doing right now where he would fit in," Duncan said. "What role would he play? ... It would have to be a guy that you need more than one inning from, and I'm not sure you want to take that step with him."
LENNY: Great futures pick ,Dynasty league or minors
Perez said Class AAA hitters last year were taking his slider and cheating to catch up with his fastball, so he wants a third, slower pitch to foil timing. He's test-driving the curve. He'll probably add another change, ditching his windup after pitching coach Dave Duncan told the righthander Sunday that he should pitch only from the stretch from now on.
That could help with his command, the one dent in his résumé.
"Sometimes the light bulb goes on," Perez said. "It could be tonight, it could be tomorrow, could be in a week. ... I know it's what I have to improve."
Perez struck out 62 batters in 40 2/3 innings at Class AA last season, and 15 batters in 14 innings at Class AAA Memphis. But he also walked 41 batters, including 13 at Memphis. The righthander, a 2006 draft pick, will get innings in major-league exhibition games, La Russa said, but does have a significant hurdle to clear before moving from the "interested in" tier to La Russa's "seriously considering."
The Cardinals don't have an opening for a short reliever.
For now, watching Perez is different from wanting Perez.
"It's hard to envision based on what he's capable of doing right now where he would fit in," Duncan said. "What role would he play? ... It would have to be a guy that you need more than one inning from, and I'm not sure you want to take that step with him.
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
02/18/2008
Tags: NL Notes NL Notes Closer Of The Future
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