Cionel Pérez has established himself as a premier reliever in one of the today’s best bullpens in the majors. In his seven years in the “big show” he has taken the mound for Baltimore, Cincinnati and Houston, but did not come into his until he came to the Orioles.
During his three seasons with Baltimore he has 12-3 record, 2.78 earned run average, 42 holds and five saves as a short reliever. He has also struck out 119 batters in 132 ⅔ innings pitched and sports a WHIP of 1.34 during that time.
For his career the left-hander has a 14-6 mark, 3.68 ERA and 171 K’s in 183⅓ innings pitched. Although injures hampered the Cuban hurler earlier this season he has found his way over the last 15 games posting a 3.68 earned run average for the O’s over that span.
You have been in the majors for seven years, but what have you done different during your stint with the Baltimore Orioles that you that has helped you establish yourself with this team?
In the previous years in both Houston and Cincinnati there were many ups and downs, they promoted me and then optioned me. I did not manage to establish myself well in the Major Leagues, but when I arrived at this team I believe that my new mindset also helped me a lot. I knew I had to give it my all because there were no more options to go down and go back up. I also think that the veterans in the pitching staff we had here and the pitching coaches have helped me a lot, too.
Was trust the key?
That’s right, trust, work and perseverance were key.
You are here with Yennier Cano, he has less years in the league than you, but you are both to main components for a team that is one of the most successful bullpens in baseball.
Yes, as you say, we are the only two Cubans here and we support each other a lot, always giving each other advice. Although he has been around for less time in the big leagues, he already has an All-Star Game under his belt. He played for a long time in Cuba and that helped his development. When he played in Cuba the league was very strong, right now it is different. Back then the stadiums were full and we were kids playing with way better players.
How old were you when you started in Cuba?
I started playing ball when I was very young. When I started playing in the Cuban Serie Nacional I was barely 16 years old, that experience helps you a lot. In Cuba you start very young and it definitely helps you plenty.
They say that things have changed, how do you see Cuban baseball today?
That’s right, unfortunately in the league right now there is no quality pitching, there are no hitters. Anyone who has talent there knows that his future. They knows that his future is in going to the Dominican Republic and trying to sign with a major league organization, because unfortunately that’s how it is. In that League, one day a team wins by 14 runs, the next day they win by 16 or 24, it is absurd.
This year we saw FEPCUBE, an organization that wants to bring together Cuban baseball players aside from the Cuban Federation to play in the World Classic or other events, what is your opinion on that?
That is a common goal that we have as the small Federation and that is the main objective. We want to participate in both the Classic and other events as well. Although it is a complex process all I can do is support it and wait for big things in the future.