Just in: The Cincinnati Reds have Confirmed the Signing of another Blockbuster Contract

Another infielder signs with the Cincinnati Reds on another day of free agency. Hernan Perez, a 10-year major league veteran, inked a minor league contract with the organization this week.

Hernan Perez last appeared in the major leagues in 2021, when he appeared in 10 games for the Washington Nationals. Perez began his career with the Tigers in 2012, making his debut. He subsequently spent the following ten seasons in the major leagues, with the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, Nationals, and Brewers. His greatest season came with Milwaukee in 2016, when he hit.272/.302/.428 with 34 stolen bases.

After appearing in only 13 games in the major leagues between the 2020 and 2021 seasons, he began the 2022 season with Tijuana in the Mexican League. His tenure there lasted less than a week before Atlanta signed him to a minor league contract and assigned him to Gwinnett’s Triple-A squad. He spent the season with the Twins’ Triple-A team in St. Paul, where he hit.279/.351/.485 with 10 home runs. His career statistics can be seen here.

Hernan Perez has been playing for Lara in the Venezuelan Winter League this fall and winter. He has hit in 38 games.In 161 plate appearances, he hit 293/.379/.451 with 19 walks and 21 strikeouts.

So far this summer, Cincinnati has added a lot of depth to their top minor leagues. Hernan Perez gives them yet another option in Triple-A if injuries necessitate the need for someone to come up and assist fill up the Reds’ bench. During the 2023 minor league season, he batted first, second, third, shortstop, and left field. He’s also played center, right, and thrown 9.1 innings in previous seasons. From a defensive standpoint, he’s got you covered almost everywhere.

The Reds have signed the NCAA home run record holder

Cincinnati added catcher John Michael Faile this week in another minor league signing that is significantly different from Perez’s. The 23-year-old went undrafted and joined with the Billings Mustangs, who are now in the independent league. Despite playing in just over half of the season, he finished eighth in the league in home runs.

That’s hardly unexpected since Faile is the NCAA Division II all-time home run leader with 81. He also holds the all-time RBI record at North Greenville, with 337 in five seasons. He followed that up with a.353/.414/.761 line in 54 games with Billings this summer.