Maikol Pérez is a very interesting prospect, the 24-year-old native of Villa Clara, Cuba has a lot of tools and could be a great under-the-radar prospect for the next team that signs him. Pérez is a boy hood friend of Andy Martín, who was recently signed by the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Nippon League.
The speedster gained his first experience stateside with Miami-Dade College this season hitting .297 with five longballs and 34 runs batted in during his 54 games played with the JUCO. The outfielder also scored 49 runs and stole 18 bases over that span.
Pérez saw his first professional experience this season in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol with the Tigres de Quintana Roo hitting .125 with two RBIs in a meager 16 at-bats, hardly enough to make a proper evaluation of his talents. With a very similar skill set to that of Martín could net similar results to that of his friend’s if signed by the proper team.
Tell me about your experience in the Mexican League.
My experience in the Mexican League was something very nice, it was experience in professional baseball. I already had some idea of what it would be like, but it is not the same as being part of a team and playing. During a game your my adrenaline pumping and everything is for real, it’s a totally different feeling.
Compare the level of play in the LMB with that of Miami Dade College.
It is a big difference. Here the players aspire to be drafted at the end of the season and in the Mexican League you find many players who already come from the big league and other professional leagues, so they are already developed and have a higher level of talent
Is there anything that you picked up that helped you in your development during time at Miami Dade North College?
While I was in Miami Dade the coaches I had there helped me a lot, honestly. Lázaro Llanes who was my manager, Rudy Arias, Nelson, Frank…, worked with me and we focused a lot on hitting mainly. I developed a lot there and it was a great experience, something very nice.
What did you feel that day you played against FEPCUBE?
It was a tremendous experience. It was great to be part of that game. It was a great spectacle and I did not believe it. I remember I was hitting in the cage and there was a lot of rumors circulating. My teammates approached me and told me: “we are going to play against your countrymen from the Major Leagues”. I repeat it was a spectacle to be there sharing the diamond with active major leaguers. Leonys and Yuly, were there among others. I gained a lot of experience because those guys gave me a lot of good advice. I felt like I was in game seven of the World Series because of the electric atmosphere that evening.
Since you are a professional now, would you be willing to represent FEPCUBE?
Yes of course. If given the opportunity at some point, I am willing to represent FEPCUBE.
Any plans to play professionally this winter?
Yes, that is in the hands of my agent. He is the one who is in charge of looking for a contract in a league for the winter.