PHOENIX – When the Cincinnati Reds traded for left-handed pitcher Cionel Pérez in January, he was a relative unknown to a lot of his teammates.
He had pitched only 26 2/3 innings in his big-league career with the Houston Astros. He wasn’t in the same leagues in Double-A or Triple-A as the Reds’ minor-league affiliates.
Listed at 5-foot-11, 162 pounds, the 24-year-old Pérez is probably one of the least physically imposing pitchers. At least, he’s that way until he unfurls 98-mph fastballs and a wipeout slider.
“For him not being that big of a guy, he throws cheddar balls,” teammate Amir Garrett said.