Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Potential Rule 5 Draft Selections

Shortstop Wenceel Perez

Wenceel Perez, 21, is considered the best prospect available for this upcoming Rule 5 Draft. The Detroit Tiger prospect spent the entire 2019 season at the High-A level. He wasn’t very good batting wise posting a .233/.299/.314 line and 81 wRC+ through 516 plate appearances. However, his batting numbers were much better in 2018.

Through 251 plate appearances across three different levels, Perez batted .312/.363/.429. He also had a 185 wRC+ at Rookie-Ball and 108 wRC+ at Low-A. Perez has shown a good ability to post low strikeout rates. Through 1025 career plate appearances, he only has a 13.9% strikeout rate. He also has a solid 8.9% walk rate.

Perez is a middle infielder by trade. He’s mainly played shortstop, but does have some experience at second base. As a defender, he’s considered an average shortstop with a 40 current and 50 future fielding grade. He does have an above average arm with a 50 current and 55 future throwing grade. Perez has an above average hit tool with, coming in with a future 55 grade. Some of that comes from his strong ability to avoid strikeouts.

Wenceel’s best tool is his base running. FanGraphs gives his speed a 60 grade. He’s stolen a total of 50 bases in 74 attempts. Currently, he ranks as Detroit’s 9th best prospect per FanGraphs and 16th best prospect per MLB Pipeline. He’s also one of three prospects that FanGraphs ranks as a top 10 organizational prospect available in this year’s Rule 5 Draft.