Toronto Blue Jays Top-30 Prospects #11: Angel Perdomo

Continuing the Blue Jays Top 30 Prospects list we have Angel Perdomo, a low-key signing in 2011 with intriguing potential.

Hon. Mentions Part 1    Hon. Mentions Part 2    #30: Freddy Rodriguez
#29: Evan Smith    #28: Deiferson Barreto    #27: Chad Girodo
#26: Roemon Fields    #25:  Rodrigo Orozco    #24:  Reggie Pruitt
#23: Joe Biagini    #22:  Carl Wise    #21: Tom Robson
#20: Matt Dean    #19: Andy Burns    #18: Guadalupe Chavez   #17: Ryan Borucki
#16: Jose Espada    #15: Dan Jansen    #14: Dwight Smith Jr.    #13: D.J. Davis
#12: Mitch Nay

Angel Perdomo was a bit of a mystery at the time of his signing in 2011, being signed for an unknown bonus amount (which means it was likely very low).

Following two successful seasons in the Dominican Summer League he was brought stateside to begin playing in the Gulf Coast League. He has since risen up to Low-A ball, all the while posting great numbers and stellar strikeout potential.

Name: Angel Perdomo
Position: SP         Age: 21
Height: 6’6”    Age: 200 lbs.
Throws: Left            Bats: Left
Acquired: Undrafted free agent sigining (2011)

While Perdomo is still young at 21 years old, he already has quite an impressive frame. Checking in at 6′ 6″ and 200 lbs., Perdomo compares favourably to great left-handed pitchers of this generation physically. While a bit bulkier than Chris Sale (180 lbs.), with a little more maturing Perdomo could have a very similar build to Madison Bumgarner. And that’s not a bad starting point.

Scouting reports from Chris King in 2015 talk of a fastball that sits in the 91-94 range that Perdomo commands to both sides of the plate. More recent reports have also had his fastball pegged getting as high as 96-97.

If Perdomo can continue to develop that fastball, as well as some secondary pitches, he could really begin to take form as a dominating lefty.

More from Toronto Blue Jays Prospects

• One prospect the Blue Jays should not have traded at the deadline
• Blue Jays: Can expanded rosters provide positivity?
• Blue Jays: 2022 Tournament 12 returns as Canadian Futures Showcase
• Blue Jays: Top Pitching Prospect Tiedemann Impresses in AA Debut
• Blue Jays 2022 Draft: Who did Toronto Land in Round Two?

Another trait Perdomo shares with the aforementioned lefties is devastating strikeout numbers. Across his two seasons in the Dominican as well as his first season state side (2012-14), Perdomo had three straight years with a K/9 of at least 10 (with 2013 coming in as high as 14.51).

Following a bit of a hiccup to start the ’15 season (6.75 K/9 over 48 innings), Perdomo managed to restore his strikeout ability following a promotion to Low-A as he managed 13.08 K/9 the rest of the season.

The increased whiffs also came at the price of increased walks, however. While he had trouble with walks earlier in his career, he seemed to have it under control in 2015 with only 2.63 BB/9 before the promotion.

That jump in walks may be attributable to Perdomo being between the starting rotation and the bullpen once he was promoted, following being a starter the entire season for the first time in his career.

While he has flourished in both roles, success for Perdomo may come down to him finding comfort in a set role. In that the Blue Jays may have a difficult decision.

Next: Top-5 likeliest non-roster invitees to crack opening day roster

If they decide to send him down the starting pitching road, they could potentially have a front of the line, ace-calibre starter in the future, but that would also come with greater risk.

The lower-risk option would be designating him to the bullpen where he could focus on maxing out his top tools. While that may not sound as enticing to the fans, it holds plenty of appeal in his huge strikeout numbers and iffy control. Lefties in the bullpen with power have become increasingly valuable in this day and age.

Seeing as the bullpen could always be seen as a fallback plan should he fail as a starter, that may lead the Blue Jays to take the risk and see how far Perdomo can take things.

He is the classic risk and reward project player. With a projectable body and dazzling strikeout potential, Perdomo could well end up the top lefty of the Blue Jays staff one day and his high ceiling will make him a very enticing prospect to watch in 2016.