by | Aug 24, 2022 | FRONT STREET

Aaron Judge continues his chase of Roger Maris’ AL single-season home run record. The MVP leader banged his league-leading 48th cold crush and second in as many nights against the Mets in a 4-2 Subway Series win in Da Bronx.

 

Meet the Hottest Minor League MLBbro In the Business Right Now…Blake Perkins 

Meet the Hottest Minor League MLBbro In the Business Right Now…Blake Perkins 

by | Apr 30, 2022 | THE LEAD OFF

For decades the New York Yankees, for the most part, ignored their farm system, choosing instead to obtain superstars on the free agent market. Yes, Derek Jeter, the most famous name from their farm system is an all-time great. And the players that joined him to form the core of their championship dynasty of the 90s; Jorge Posada, Andy Pettitte, Bernie Williams, and the incomparable Mariano Rivera, were all homegrown talents as is Aaron Judge.

But the narrative surrounding the Yankees, who have never hesitated to pay big bucks for a superstar free agent, is that the organization often acquires top level free agent stars over bringing up their own young talent. Those moves usually dominate the New York baseball headlines.  

MLBbro Blake Perkins might be the Yankees’ next superstar to blossom out of their farm system.

According to Pinstripe Alley, “The Nationals used their second-round pick in 2015 on him out of high school and were able to sign him away from a commitment to Arizona State University. Among his best tools at the time was his plus running ability that allowed him to cover a lot of ground in center field.

Perkins’s defense and tools continued to draw strong reviews, but his offensive game was struggling to catch up. He posted a 115 wRC+ in 2017 while playing at the Low-A level, but that proved to be his best offensive performance in the Nationals system.

He was then traded to the Royals as part of the deal for reliever Kelvin Herrera in June of 2018. After a strong offensive start with the Royals’ High-A team in 2018 and again in 2019, Perkins struggled when promoted to Double-A where he finished the 2019 season and played again in 2021.”

Blake Perkins Explodes On The Scene

Then he signed with the Yankees as a minor league free agent. Right now, he’s playing for Double-A Somerset and has exploded on the scene by winning MiLB Eastern League Player of the week. 

Perkins tore it up at the plate last week with a batting average of .473 (9-19) with an on base percentage of .524, a slugging percentage of 1.326 and a on base percentage of 1.850. Out of the nine hits this MLBbro collected, seven went for extra base hits including four home runs over a three game period against the Hartford Yard Goats. 

First there was the two home run game on April 23rd… 

Then this home run that sealed his award-winning week and gained the attention of baseball fans. 

This offensive explosion shot Blake Perkins to the top of the Eastern League with 37 total bases, a .902 slugging percentage, a 1.324 on base percentage while ranking near the top in all other offensive categories. His slugging percentage not only leads the Eastern League, but all Yankees minor leaguers by 319 points. 

After being known as a speedster on the bases, swiping 31, 29 and 22 in the 2017-19 season and a utility player in the outfield, his switch hitting performance at the plate has caught up with his other talents.

After never hitting higher than .255 in a season, Perkins has taken a huge step in his first 12 games at Somerset. He has 11 extra base hits which is close to matching the 16 he had in 72 games in 2021. 

The New York Yankees currently have the steal of the minors if this MLBbro continues to develop as a power-hitting switch hitter with the speed to impact the offense and defense shown in 2022. Look for Blake Perkins to be with the Yankees Triple A farm team real soon.