Andres Perez turned into one of the better defensive second basemen in the Atlantic League after working with the Revs coaching staff to change his throwing motion. (YDR file photo)
The big news on Friday in York was the return of All-Star second baseman Andres Perez. The Revs initially didn’t think he would return in 2013. He had agreed to terms with a Mexican League team in September or October of 2012.
But clubs in Mexico can change their mind, especially when they try to juggle a quota placed on the number of foreign-born players each team can sign.
When the deal in Mexico fell through, Perez agreed to terms with the Revs — signing a deal with York. The return of Perez and the signing of 11-year minor league catcher Patrick Arlis bring York’s preseason signings to seven players — including five returnees from 2012.
Perez ranked fourth in the league in batting (.314) last season. He also hit 23 homers — a number overshadowed by Chris Nowak‘s team-record 34 last summer — and his total bases (271) and extra-base hits (61) set Revs’ single-season records.
Arlis is a .242 career hitter in 11 minor league affiliated seasons. His average jumps to .272 in independent ball, where he has played parts of three seasons (including stops in the American Association, Golden Baseball League and Northern League). He spent all of last season in the American Association, hitting .275 with 14 doubles in time split between Amarillo and El Paso. He also spent parts of four seasons in Triple-A. Looked at as a good block-and-throw catcher, the Revs now have a quality defensive catcher and more of a power threat in returning catcher Salvador Paniagua.
“It’s an open competition,” York manager Mark Mason said about spring training. “We have two worthy guys, and both guys capable of what we want. Catcher is probably the hardest position to fill other than utility infielder who can play shortstop.”
