Luis Perales enters the 2024 campaign as one of the Red Sox's best pitching prospects
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After a breakout 2022 campaign, expectations were higher than ever for Luis Perales last season. In his second minor league campaign, the talented righty had posted a 1.77 ERA in 13 games. While he could not replicate those numbers in 2023, his stock continued to climb.
In 21 starts between two levels last year, the 20-year-old posted a 3.95 ERA and struck out 115 batters. As his workload doubled, Perales was still a problematic matchup, holding batters to a .230 batting average. For a Red Sox organization not deep on pitching, Perales's success has been a welcome sign.
Additionally, Perales has an arsenal that has dazzled scouts. That includes a fastball that tops out at 99 miles per hour with riding action. Perales also has a slider that has the potential to be a plus pitch and a cutter to keep opponents off balance. The only question that remains if he ends up in the rotation or bullpen.
As Perales faced tougher competition last year, he showed that he still needs more time to develop. In eight starts at High-A, he allowed eight home runs and walked 22 batters. While he struggled with control, Perales continued to strike out more than a batter an inning.
Due to his play the last two years, Perales is one of the Red Sox’s top pitching prospects. He is ranked as the Red Sox’s 11th-best prospect by MLB.com. The only pitching prospects in front of him are Richard Fitts and Wikelman Gonzalez.
His importance was also displayed when the Red Sox had to decide who to protect from the Rule 5 draft. Perales was one of the three players Boston added to its 40-man roster. Although the Venezuelan native is not projected to make his MLB debut until 2026, the Red Sox did not want to risk losing him to another team.
With opening day quickly approaching, Perales will be a prospect to watch. If Perales can make adjustments, then excitement will continue to build as he moves closer to the majors.
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