Kenny
Perez

Decommitted from Cincinnati.

+ MIF Kenny Perez (De La Salle, 2024; Cincinnati commit) continues to look the part of a future asset in the middle of the field. Perez carries one of the more advanced gloves in the class, providing noticeably productive defense on the dirt with the likelihood being he sticks up the middle long term. His arm, alongside his glove, is advanced too, and Perez was 88 mph across the diamond on his hardest bullet. Offensively, Perez swings a simple, athletic right-handed barrel that flashed above-average raw power with wood, reaching peak exit velocities upwards of 95 mph while also elevating his furthest batted ball 347 feet, per TrackMan. Heading into the final year of his prep career, Perez looks the part of a pro follow that should draw attention throughout the fall, as well as into the spring. 

INF Kenny Perez (De La Salle, 2024), a former PBR Future Gamer, recently decommitted from Cincinnati and is back on the market. Currently the top ranked uncommitted prospect in the 2024 class, Perez does everything on the diamond with fluidity and has the ability to play anywhere on the infield at a high level. His arm topped at 88 mph across the infield to go along with advanced actions and the 5-foot-10, 180-pound, right-handed hitter swings with all kinds of rhythm, athleticism. Perez recorded a T95.9 mph exit velocity, average of 89.7 mph, and his furthest batted ball traveled 374 feet. Also, ran a 7.06 60. Should garner plenty of attention after coming back open.

INF Kenny Perez (De LaSalle) and OF Khamaree Thomas (Kenwood), two members of Team Illinois at the 2022 Future Games caught our eye once again. 

Perez, a Cincinnati commit, continues to prove that he is one of the top defenders in the entire state, boasting all sorts of moxy and fluidness to his actions. His hands are confident through the ball with a quick double-play turn and he moves well laterally, better than his 7.10 60-time would indicate. Offensively, he showcased the same fluidity and comfort in the box that we have seen in the past while flashing some intent and power to the opposite field gap. Perez peaked at 98.7 mph off the bat, 89.8 mph average. 

Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-10, 170-pounds. Athletic build, round shoulders, room to add on strength.
Hit: RHH. Balanced, confident setup, smooth pre-pitch actions. Fluid, loose, quick swing, stays through the zone, natural loft and athleticism throughout. Worked hard contact to both gaps throughout.
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 89.8 mph. 321’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 88 mph. Short out of the glove, 3/4 slot, quick release, plays on the move.
Defense: Soft/confident hands, plays low to the ground and through the ball with fluid footwork, controls body on the run through play, plays with rhythm and feel.
Run: 7.10 runner in the 60. 

Perez hosts an athletic frame 5-foot-10, 180-pounds with some strength in his lower half. Currently ranked inside the Top 15 prospects in his home state and is set to represent Illinois at the Future Games later this month. Impressed with his whippy bat speed, hugging the pull-side line and hustling out a triple. Also showed natural actions in the infield with athleticism that is apparent on defense. 

INF Kenny Perez (De LaSalle, 2024) was another big winner for the day, walking around with a bounce to his step and ultimately earning an invitation to the PBR Future Games. Defensively he is a savvy, confident defender, playing with sound, smooth actions and flare. He has soft, quick hands with a lightning quick exchange; feet are quick and allow him to take direct routes to ground balls.  His arm plays short and quick arm, also playing from multiple arm angles. Offensively, that same fluidity translates into the right-handed box where he has pre-pitch movement and an athletic, aggressive swing that is long through the zone. Perez is one of the top uncommitted infielders in the state.

Uncommitted. 5-foot-10, 160-pound, well-proportioned, right-handed hitting infielder, currently ranked No. 30 in the Illinois’ 2024 class. Hit in the four-hole and started at third base. Looks to be one of the top uncommitted position players in the 2024 class. Defensively, has all the actions and tools to be a high-level defender moving forward. Plays with ease, confidence and light, active feet. Hands play soft, works from the ground up and ranges with body control. Made a slow roller, run through play down the third base line look extremely easy and routine. Arm plays quick, loose and accurate across the diamond. Offensively, hits with fluid rhythm and confidence. Loose, athletic swing, gets extension through contact and can drive the ball to all fields with authority. Homered over the right-field fence in his first at-bat. Flew out to center field with authority in his next two at-bats. High-follow 2024 uncommitted infielder. 

Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-9, 140-pounds. Compact frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide base, slightly open stance, loose and relaxed pre-pitch. Some length to contact. Creates backspin. Natural loft.
Power: 96.9 max exit velocity, averaged 91 mph. 351’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 84 mph. Loose, quick arm action. 3/4 slot. Accuracy on throws.
Defense: Soft, confident hands. Plays light on his feet. Under control on the move. Plays with confidence.
Run: 7.20 runner in the 60. 

There were a number of high-level infield defenders who showed well throughout the day, but Kenny Perez (De La Salle, 2024), arguably, sat at the top of the list. Perez carries himself with confidence and has all the makings to be a top-level shortstop in the class. He plays light on his feet with a bounce in his step and a natural flair to his game. His hands are soft and ultra-confident, he moves with ease, playing with body control on the move, and he can throw from any angle (84 mph high). The right-handed hitter ran a 7.20 in the 60 and he also put together an impressive round of BP. Perez uses a small leg-lift load with loose, fast hands and he creates natural loft with the ability to create backspin off the barrel at times. The 5-foot-9, 140-pounder possesses advanced bat strength for his size and age, leading the event in average batted ball distance at 299 feet, and his furthest batted ball traveled 351 feet. Perez also recorded a max exit velocity of 96.9 mph, an average of 91.0, generating a sweet spot rate of 90 percent. High-level 2024 prospect on the rise coming out of the event.

Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-9, 140-pounds.
Hit: RHH. Tall, open setup, leg kick, hands load, smooth pre-pitch actions. Short swing, path works slightly uphill, balanced throughout, flashes barrel control, intent to hit ball in the air, gap-to-gap approach.
Power: 90.27 max exit velocity, averaged 84.14 mph. 313’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 78 mph. Short arm action, 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Athletic infield actions, steady hands, fluid feet, plays through the ball with proper direction.
Run: 7.41 runner in the 60.

Positional Profile: SS/3B
Body: 5-9, 140-pounds. Athletic build.
Defense: Natural middle infield defender, fluid footwork, soft hands, clean exchange, athletically plays through the baseball.
Arm: RH. INF - 72 mph. Long arm action, 3/4 slot, throws play accurate, flash carry.
Hit: RHH. Open balance setup, smooth load, small leg kick. Short uphill swing, gets extension, controls the barrel, gap-to-gap approach, fluid rhythm.
Power: 77 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Run: 7.84 runner in the 60. 

Positional Profile: RHP

Delivery: Tall and fall delivery, max effort, works in line, falls off.
Arm Action: RH. Short arm action, 3/4 slot.
FB: T72, 70-72 mph. Plays straight.
CB: 57-58 mph. Sharp 11/5 shape.
CH: 65-67 mph. Arm side run.