Williams Perez Picked up by Mariners
June 1, 2018 - Frontier League (FL)
Southern Illinois Miners News Release
Marion, IL - The Southern Illinois Miners announce that former major leaguer Williams Perez is heading back to affiliated baseball, having been signed by the Seattle Mariners this afternoon. He becomes the 51st player in team history to sign with a major league organization, and the first in 2018.
The right-hander pitched in the Atlanta Braves' rotation in the big leagues in 2015-16 and saw time with the Iowa Cubs, the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, in 2017 before signing with the Miners this offseason, the first player with major league experience to sign with Southern Illinois in the franchise's history. The Acarigua, Venezuela native made two starts with the Miners, and put up a 1.64 ERA in 11 innings pitched, holding opposing hitters to a .211 batting average along with 10 strikeouts and four walks. He most-recently shut out the Joliet Slammers over six innings on May 25th, allowing just three hits and striking out three batters in a Miners win.
"Williams is a major league talent, and we could not be happier for him to get this chance with the Mariners," Miners manager Mike Pinto said. "Rarely do we see players of his caliber, and it was a wonderful example for our players to watch him do what he does so well. We look forward to his quick movement up the minor leagues and hope to see him back in the majors soon. In the meantime, he will always be part of the Miners Family."
The Miners will return to action on Friday night, June 1st, when they take on the Evansville Otters at 7:05 p.m. Billy Griffin will make the start for Southern Illinois, opposed by Evansville right-hander Luc Rennie.
The Southern Illinois Miners are the Frontier League's winningest franchise since debuting in 2007, winning the 2012 Frontier League Championship as well as division titles in 2010, 2014, 2015 and 2016. They have been awarded the Frontier League Organization of the Year award three times since their inception, and also set a new Frontier League attendance record in their inaugural season. For ticket information, contact the box office at (618) 998-8499. For additional information, visit our website at www.siminers.com.
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- Williams Perez Picked up by Mariners - Southern Illinois Miners
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