Brewers: Hernan Perez is a Deep Waiver Wire Add

By Brad Kelly | Jul 30, 2016

May 19, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Hernan Perez (14) drives in a run with a base hit in the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Hernan Perez has provided the Milwaukee Brewers with a spark all season as mostly a utility man. Now that he is starting and hot at the plate, should fantasy owners add him off the waiver wire?

The Milwaukee Brewers are having a decent season all things considered. There were not too many expectations for the young and rebuilding club, but they remain competitive nonetheless. While they have had their share of breakout performers like Jonathan Villar, and Junior Guerra, Hernan Perez may be the next player to follow suit.

Hernan Perez was signed as a 17-year-old amateur free agent in 2007 by the Detroit Tigers. While never billed as a top end prospect, it looked as though Perez would eventually develop into a utility man at the major league level. He came over to Milwaukee in 2015, where he would post a, .270/1 HR/21 RBI/4 SB line, over 238 plate appearances.

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Heading into the 2016 season, Perez did not have a role with the big league club, so he began the season in AAA. But, he got off to a torrid start in the minors, and the team was forced to call him up. For most of the season, Perez has played mostly at third base and in right field. When the Brewers dealt Aaron Hill to Boston in early-July, it finally opened the door for Perez to finally secure the starting spot at third.

Hernan Perez currently has a, .273/6 HR/30 RBI/16 SB/.720 OPS, line on the season. But, since he was given everyday at bats, his numbers only continue to climb. Over the last two weeks, he has been able to produce a, .311/2 HR/10 RBI/6 SB split. Like Villar, Perez was given the green light on the basepaths, and has only been caught three times this season. His minor league career high in steals was 28, so there is still plenty of time for him to provide owners with SB help.

His six homers this season have also been a welcome addition to his game, as his career high in the minors was only eight. While there is still some room for growth, he is still only 25-years-old, owners should only expect Perez to flirt with double-digit homers moving forward. Playing in Miller Park surely helps, even though he has been better on the road this season, but 10 HR/20+SB is certainly within reach.

The Brewers lineup may look different in the upcoming days, so it is hard to tell what his supporting cast may be next week. But, they should still retain enough pieces to allow Perez decent counting stat opportunities. Hernan Perez has been flying under the radar as of late, but could be a high quality waiver wire add moving forward. He may not carry owners throughout the playoffs, but his speed and AVG help, can surely help fantasy owners build the most well-versed lineup. Make the move.

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