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2006 season An Ivy Leaguer in the
Desert Fernando Perez brings the same approach to the game of baseball as he's done throughout his life with academics. To the Phoenix Desert Dogs outfielder, baseball is another discipline to study in which to constantly improve. The Columbia University product speaks eloquently about baseball. But it's obvious from his actions on the field that Perez also has a burning passion for the game. On the field he plays with boundless enthusiasm, readily apparent every time he flashes the safe sign after beating out an infield hit or bunt. "No, it's a reflex ... I'm really not a showy guy," answered Perez when asked whether opponents consider his actions on the field as trying to show them up. "I have some strange idiosyncrasies that come out when I'm on the field ... the way that I take pitches and the way that I run it out ... I play hard, and whatever it looks like is whatever it looks like. That's the way that I play."
Perez is coming off a solid season with the Devil Rays' High A affiliate in Visalia, California, having batted .307/.398/.397, with 33 stolen bases. It was his third minor league season since the Tampa Bay organization selected him in the 7th round of the 2004 draft. But it's never been just about baseball for Perez. Coming out of high school, he had opportunities at some of the big baseball schools. He chose the academically-rigorous Columbia, and it's a decision that he's never regretted. "I really never even considered going to a baseball school," said Perez, who majored in American Cultural Studies and Creative Writing at Columbia. "My whole plan was to go to the best school possible and to get the best education. Baseball was a thing that I did. At that point, I didn't want to sell myself short and go to a baseball school just so that I would help me with my draft procedures. If you can play, they'll find you." "Getting drafted out of Columbia was definitely more of a challenge," continued Perez, "but it's doable ... it's done ... But I wouldn't trade going to Columbia for anything. To study in New York City ... just to be in New York City is by far a richer experience than studying in Columbia." The New Jersey native is now enrolled in his next "class." It's apparent from his performance in the Arizona Fall League that Perez is learning his lessons well. At the midway point of the season, the Tampa Bay prospect is getting on base at a .404 clip and has stolen four bases. "I knew that the level of competition would be impressive," said Perez. "It's quite a step up, probably more so for me than anyone else in the league, since I've never played AA ball, AAA ball or even the big leagues like some of these guys." The 23-year-old switch-hitter wants to use his AFL performance as a springboard for moving quickly through the Tampa Bay organization. Perez is hoping that the experience he gains will show the Devil Ray brass that he's ready to skip a level and move right on up to AAA in 2007. The biggest change in Perez's game recently is that he just started switch-hitting coming into the 2006 regular season. That relative inexperience in swinging the bat from the left side is what he hopes to develop in Arizona. "I just need more at bats," he said. "This is my first year ever in my life hitting left-handed. There are pitches I haven't seen. There are things that I haven't done yet. I'm a much further evolved and advanced hitter from the right side, and ultimately I've got to get that way from the left side and really tighten up my game."
He's especially been impressed with the quality of pitching that he's faced on a day to day basis in Arizona. "Coming into it (the AFL), I knew it would be a great level of talent, and you can see, it really, really is," said Perez. "It's even a little harder because I didn't realize that they're changing pitchers so often. You've got pitchers that are throwing every other day for one inning, so they've got their best stuff every day. It's very, very different, but it's great practice." Perez has always considered himself to be a strong defensive outfielder, but believes there is still room for improvement. "I'm pretty pleased with my defensive play out here," he said. "I've been playing good defense, hitting my cutoff men, keeping the ball low, keeping double plays in order. But on the same note, I've got to work on my routes. There are a couple of balls that I could have given myself a better shot to catch. That's the thing about playing centerfield ... there's so much responsibility out there. One false step can equal a foot, and this is a game of inches." Perez is also having a great time just being around and watching the great baseball talent assembled in the Arizona Fall League. It's obvious that he's in awe of the total experience. "It's really a treat to see some of these guys pitch and hit and do the things that they do," he said, adding that he's especially been impressed with his Devil Ray teammate and pitcher Jeff Ridgway and Milwaukee Brewers infielder Ryan Braun. "I'm seeing tons of players," continued Perez, "... players you've heard the buzz about. What the Fall League is about is that you get to meet all of the players that you read about in Baseball America." At this point in the season, when he's been playing baseball practically non-stop since March, Perez has to keep motivating himself to perform at a high level at a time when his body would prefer to shut it down. "Just look up there," said Perez while pointing to the dozens of scouts that regularly attend AFL games. "That's your career watching you up in the stands. Even though it's quiet, there aren't many fans and the game seemingly has no pulse, it's very easy to convince yourself of the importance of these at bats and the importance of putting on a good show and competing out here." While he's now totally focused on the baseball, Perez still misses the academic life. If not playing the game, he would likely be teaching English in a foreign country or writing for a magazine. Several of his college friends are currently teaching in places like Laos and Malaysia. In some ways, he sounds a little envious of the life that his friends are living, stating "It's a great opportunity." "... But this is great, too." --- Bill Mitchell All photos on the Arizona Fall League Report are credited to Bill Mitchell, unless noted otherwise, and are not to be used for any other purpose without express permission.
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