Miami Marlins starting pitcher Eury Perez makes his MLB debut as he makes the start for the Marlins during the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Miami Marlins on Friday, May 12, 2023 at LoanDepot Park, Miami, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
By Julian Guilarte
World Baseball Network
Eury Pérez had a solid Major League debut for the Miami Marlins against the Cincinnati Reds at Loan Depot Park in Miami Florida on Friday.
The Marlins had a 3-2 lead when Pérez left the game in the fifth inning, but would go on to lose 7-4. Pérez is the first player born in 2003 to play in MLB, and is also the youngest Marlins pitcher to make his debut since Jose Fernandez, who was 223 days older at the time of his first appearance.
Pérez started the game with a scoreless first frame, and got his first MLB strikeout against Reds catcher Tyler Stevenson, who looked at an inside fastball for strike three. Pérez topped out at over 99 MPH on his fastball. In the second inning, he produced two strikeouts with his breaking pitches, getting Cincinnati third baseman Nick Senzel on a slider and center fielder Stuart Fairchild on a curveball.
“Going out there was an unbelievable experience to play against veteran players,” Pérez said through a translator in an article on ESPN.
In the third inning, Pérez struck out shortstop Jose Barrero on a curveball and Jonathan India on a slider after an eight-pitch at bat, and was scoreless through the first three innings. He gave up his first run in the fourth on a solo homer by catcher Tyler Stevenson on a fastball.
He got his final strikeout of the game in the fifth inning with another curveball against shortstop Jose Barrero. Pérez gave up his second solo home run of the night to left fielder Jake Fraley on a fastball. Pérez was pulled after 88 pitches after Fraley’s home run.
Pérez’ line on the night was 4.2 innings pitched, four hits, two earned runs, two walks, seven strikeouts and two home runs allowed. Pérez got four strikeouts with his curveball, two with his slider and one on his fastball.
“The emotions were all over the place, to be honest. I was able to control it,” Pérez said.
Marlins Ace Sandy Alcantara has taken Pérez under his wing. He picked him up from the airport when he arrived in Miami on May 11. Alcantara commented on Pérez in the ESPN article.
“All the knowledge I’ve gained, it is only right that I can share it with the younger players who are coming up,” Alcantara said.
Marlins manager Skip Schumaker came away impressed with Perez’s performance. “It’s pretty cool to see this [with Perez]. You don’t see it happen too often,” Schumacher said in an article published by the Miami Herald.
Pérez will look to build on the outing in his next start against the Washington Nationals on May 18.