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Short story, long process: First-round pick Perez seeks production to pay off Cardinals' patience

After 20 consecutive games to start last season batting at the backend of Low-A Peoria’s lineup, never higher than eighth, shortstop Delvin Perez came to the ballpark the day after hitting No. 9 as a DH in a doubleheader to find his name at leadoff. He would bat first or second in 97 of his next 98 games, even as his on-base percentage dipped to .275 through June.

In a scripted move meant to see what quantity did for the quality of Perez’s at-bats, the Cardinals prioritized hitting the former first-round pick atop the order. Perez finished the year with the fifth-most plate appearances in the system, and no middle infielder had more than his 506.