Juan Jerez

JUAN JEREZ, THIRD BASEMAN
Born: November 28, 2001
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 160
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Signed: Int’l Free Agent, 2018, Pittsburgh Pirates
How Acquired: International Free Agent
Country: Dominican Republic
Agent: N/A

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE
Jerez was one of the Pirates’ more prominent signings in the 2018-19 international signing period.  He was signed as a shortstop but transitioned after a few years to the corners.  He has an outstanding arm and good power, but he’s prone to chasing pitches.

2019
DSL:  272/324/469, 228 AB, 12 2B, 6 3B, 7 HR, 14 BB, 48 K, 6-12 SB

Jerez played second and short, spending two-thirds of his time in the field at second.  He showed good range.  He hit well, showing good power, although the plate discipline could have been better.

2020
DNP

2021
R:  296/394/500, 152 AB, 9 2B, 2 3B, 6 HR, 24 BB, 46 K, 10-14 SB

Jerez had a strong season at the plate, including much better patience but also a very high K rate.  He mostly played third, with four games at second and none at short.  He also served as DH 13 times.  At third, he committed ten errors for a very bad fielding percentage of .846, but inexperience could account for some of that.

2022
R:  222/417/333, 9 AB, 1 2B, 3 BB, 1 K, 0-1 SB
A:  212/291/351, 259 AB, 9 2B, 3 3B, 7 HR, 25 BB, 95 K, 20-22 SB

Jerez missed over a month with an injury, but otherwise spent the season with Bradenton.  He mostly struggled, striking out in a third of his plate appearances.  He hit for a little power and did a very good job of stealing bases.  He played first and third, with a few games at second.  At third, Jerez struggled with errors.

Like many of the Pirates’ lower-level hitting prospects, Jerez has been undone by the swing-and-miss.  He wasn’t on any full-season roster when the 2023 season began.

CONTRACT INFORMATION
2023: Minor League Contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus: $380,000
MiLB Debut: 2019
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2025
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: 2022
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
July 2, 2018: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.