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Washington Nationals: Prospect Watch - OF Eury Perez.

• In 45 games and 181 at bats, 19-year-old outfielder Eury Perez hit for a .381 AVG with a .443 OBP, .503 SLG, 3 doubles, 5 triples, 3 HR's, 24 RBI's, 15 walks, 16 stolen bases and 20 K's, earning himself recognition as the 2009 Gulf Coast League Hitter of the Year in his third season in the Washington Nationals' system. In two Dominican Summer League campaigns, Perez posted similarly notable numbers, with a combined .293 AVG in 112 games and 376 AB's, in which he collected 14 doubles, 3 triples, 4 HR's, 58 RBI's, 43 stolen bases and 79 walks while striking out 96 times. The Hardball Times recognized Perez's accomplishments by ranking the 6'0'', 180 lb, right-handed hitting outfielder the 7th best prospect in the Nationals' organization with the author of the list, Hardball Times' writer Matt Hagen, writing that, "Perez has flashed his potential at every stop he has made. His bat seems very advanced for his age, his speed will be a weapon, and he has even shown some unexpected power."

• The Hardball Times' Matt Hagen wrote about Eury Perez in an early September '09 article entitled, "Awards Season: GCL and Arizona League Honors", commenting on how the potential-future-Nationals'-outfielder had, "...cemented his position as one of Washington's more exciting young prospects by finishing the year with a 27-game hitting streak on his way to winning the GCL batting title."

• Baseball America.com's Prospect Hot Sheet from August '09 had Eury Perez listed as one of two outfielders under a subtitle, "Helium Watch" along with NY Yankees' outfielder Melky Mesa, and described Perez as being a, "potential hidden gem" in the Nationals' system, with the Baseball America staff recognizing Perez's "...feel for hitting and the strike zone," (which would account for his gaudy K/BB totals), and noting the 19-year-old's "above-average speed" as, "...a weapon in center field and on the bases." 

• The Nationals Farm Authority's Brian Oliver had Eury Perez ranked 9th overall amongst the hitters in the Nationals' system in his late December list of the "NFA Top Prospects", where Mr. Oliver writes that Perez might be, "Possibly the first international free agent to develop for the Nationals." 

Up Next In Prospect Watch: The Other Name That Surprised Me On The Hardball Times' List...

Hint: This pitcher is one of four undrafted free agents signed by the Nationals in January 2007...