The New York Yankees announced Monday that they’ve traded RHP Chance Adams for minor league shortstop Cristian Perez, coming from the Kansas City Royals organization.
Originally signed by the Royals as an international free agent on September 27, 2015, Perez is only 21 years old from Cagua, Venezuela. Perez, who just finished his fourth season in the minor league coming out of A+ ball, is known for being a high contact hitter. He doesn’t have much pop at the plate but his consistent low strikeout rate separates himself from other players. Last season with the Wilmington Blue Rocks, Perez slashed .252/.290/.285. The 21-year-old is also a solid defender at shortstop too.
Perez is projected to be a utility infielder for the New York Yankees. He’s spent most of his time at shortstop however he’s played several games at second and a handful at third. Even though the Yankee infield is stacked, having extra depth is something no team can complain about.
Adams, who didn’t succeed much with the New York Yankees, will try his luck with the Royals. Once rated as the Yankees’ top prospects, Adams was DFA’d last week to make room for Gerrit Cole on the 40-man roster. Credited to a career 8.53 ERA, Adams never found his stride in the big leagues. However, he’s only appeared in 16 games over the course of two years.
After having surgery in 2017 to remove a bone spur in his elbow, Adams lost velocity and was far less effective on the mound even struggling in the minor leagues.