Joe Perez came back from an ankle injury in high school to hit over .500 and even get more than 20 scholarship offers, The New York Daily News wrote in June 1989.
His performance at New York's James Madison High School even drew some lofty comparisons from his high school coach Mike Turo.
"He has Rickey Henderson-type qualities," Turo told The Daily News.
Turo spoke to The Daily News on the occasion of Perez' selection in the draft. Perez signed, but his career proved limited. He's credited as playing five seasons. He topped out at high-A.
Perez' career began that year in 1989, taken by the Indians in the 28th round of the draft out James Madison.
At James Madison in 1988, Perez turned in a .541 batting average and 10 home runs as he made the all-city team.
With the Indians, Perez started in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He saw 17 games and hit .237. He then moved to short-season Watertown for 1990 and hit .238 over 63 games.
Perez then played 1991 between Watertown and single-A Columbus. Entering that year, The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer described Perez as a "young player with the ability to steal bases and drive in runs."
Perez hit .258 on the year over 81 games between the two teams.
Perez then isn't recorded as playing again until 1995, when he's recorded as played 91 games with the Rangers between high-a Port Charlotte and single-A Charleston. His final time came in 1996, seven games at independent Albany.
- New York Daily News, June 8, 1989: The dream comes true for Haughney, Perez
- Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, April 14, 1991: Joe Perez
Made the Majors:1,385-32.8%
Never Made Majors:2,839-67.2%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors:562
10+ Seasons in the Minors:345
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