When it comes to the MLB Home Run Derby, the batting practice pitcher is arguably just as important as the hitter himself. If you have a pitcher like Dave Jauss who can consistently hit a preferred spot, it allows the batter to get a rhythm. A good pitcher is so important.
And then there was Braves batting practice pitcher Tomas Perez who came in on the other end of the spectrum Monday night. Perez took the mound as the pitcher for Ronald Acuña Jr.’s Home Run Derby round, and it was stunning to watch how Perez approached the gig.
He was using both sides of the plate, hitting the corners, throwing some breaking balls — basically, Acuña had no chance to get any sort of rhythm at all.
You could see the Braves star grow frustrated as the round continued because Perez was all over the place. A hitter wants meatballs middle-middle or middle-in for the Home Run Derby. Perez was throwing cutters low and away.
It got to the point where MLB fans were joking about Perez providing bullpen help for teams out there.