Williams David Pérez Montes (born May 21, 1991) is a Venezuelan former professionalbaseballpitcher. Pérez signed with theAtlanta Braves as an amateur free agent in 2009. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for the Braves from 2015 to 2016.

Williams Pérez
Pérez with theAtlanta Braves in 2016 spring training
Pitcher
Born: (1991-05-21)May 21, 1991 (age 33) Acarigua,Portuguesa, Venezuela
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 8, 2015, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics (through 2016 season)
Win–loss record	9–9
Earned run average	5.18
Strikeouts	100
Stats atBaseball Reference
Teams
Atlanta Braves (2015–2016)

Pérez signed with theAtlanta Braves as an amateur free agent on May 22, 2009.^[1][2] He made his professional debut with theDominican Summer League Braves, posting a 2.35 ERA in 17 games. In 2010, Pérez pitched for the rookie-levelGCL Braves, registering an 0-6 record and 5.63 ERA in 12 games, 11 of them starts. The following season, Pérez split the year between the GCL Braves and the rookie-levelDanville Braves, accumulating a 4-0 record and 2.75 ERA in 13 appearances. In 2012, Pérez returned to Danville, where he posted a 4-3 record and 4.15 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 56.1 innings of work. The next year, he split the season between the Single-ARome Braves and the High-ALynchburg Hillcats, pitching to a cumulative 11-6 record and 3.53 ERA with 106 strikeouts in 125.0 innings pitched. He spent the entire 2014 season with the Double-AMississippi Braves, recording a 7-6 record and 2.91 ERA in 26 appearances.^[3]

The Braves added Pérez to the team's 40-man roster on November 19, 2014.^[4] He was assigned to the Triple-AGwinnett Braves to begin the 2015 season. Pérez was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on May 6, 2015.^[5] Pérez debuted two days later, yielding two walks, two hits and four runs, while recording one out against theWashington Nationals.^[6] He was then added to the starting rotation and made his first start, a no decision against theTampa Bay Rays, on May 20, 2015.^[7] Pérez made a total of 14 starts in his rookie season. In his first eight starts, he recorded a 2.27 ERA, then was placed on the disabled list in July with a bruised left foot. Upon his return to the active roster, Pérez made six more starts, in which his ERA was 9.87, before being demoted to Triple-A Gwinnett on August 29.^[8]

Pérez opened the 2016 season in the Braves starting rotation and made three appearances before he was optioned to Gwinnett on April 20.^[9] He was recalled on May 11, and earned the win in that night's game against thePhiladelphia Phillies.^[10] While facing theSan Diego Padres on June 6, Pérez pitched five innings and left the game with an injury. Two days later, he was diagnosed with a rotator cuff strain and was placed on the disabled list.^[11] He was reactivated on September 6 to start against theWashington Nationals.^[12] After losing to the Nationals, Pérez was removed from his next start against theNew York Mets in the midst of the third inning.^[13] He finished the year with a 2-3 record and 6.04 ERA in 11 games. On December 8, 2016, Pérez was released by the Braves.^[14]

On February 4, 2017, Pérez signed a minor league contract with theChicago Cubs organization.^[15] He spent the season with the Triple-AIowa Cubs, pitching to a 7-10 record and 5.01 ERA with 102 strikeouts in 120.1 innings of work. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.^[16] On November 20, Pérez re-signed with the Cubs on a new a minor league contract and received an invitation to spring training.^[17] On February 18, 2018, the Cubs released Pérez.^[18]

On April 9, 2018, Pérez signed with theSouthern Illinois Miners of the independentFrontier League.^[19] Pérez made two appearances for the Miners in 2018, and pitched to a 1.64 ERA, allowing 2 earned runs and striking out 10 in 11.0 innings of work.

On June 5, 2018, Pérez signed a minor league deal with theSeattle Mariners organization.^[20] He spent the year split between the Double-AArkansas Travelers and the Triple-ATacoma Rainiers, registering an 8-2 record and 2.47 ERA in 17 games between the two teams. Pérez elected free agency following the season on November 2.^[21]

On November 12, 2018, Pérez signed a minor league contract with theSt. Louis Cardinals organization.^[22] He split the 2019 season between the rookie-levelGCL Cardinals, the High-APalm Beach Cardinals, and the Double-ASpringfield Cardinals, accumulating a 6-3 record and 5.02 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 75.1 innings between the three levels. Pérez elected free agency after the season on November 4, 2019.^[23]

On May 20, 2021, Pérez signed with theToros de Tijuana of theMexican League.^[24] In 7 appearances with Tijuana, Pérez recorded a 2-1 record and 6.75 ERA. On July 4, 2021, Pérez was traded to theDiablos Rojos del México.^[24] He made just one start for the club, giving up 5 hits and 1 earned run in 4 innings. On July 19, 2021, Pérez was traded to theGuerreros de Oaxaca of theMexican League.^[25] He was released on November 23, 2021. On May 5, 2022, Pérez signed with theTecolotes de los Dos Laredos.^[26] He became a free agent following the 2022 season. On January 4, 2023, Perez signed with theSaraperos de Saltillo.^[27] However, he was released on February 25, 2023, prior to the start of the 2023 season.^[28]

Pérez primarily throws three pitches: a sinker, curveball, and changeup. All three offerings have a tendency to sink. Despite this, during his first season, Pérez gave up more fly balls on the latter two pitches than other pitchers did.^[29] During his minor league career, however, Pérez was known as a ground ball pitcher.^[30] Perez has continued to be a ground-ball pitcher at the major-league level, posting a ground-ball rate of 50.9% in 2015,^[31] compared to a league-average rate of 45.3%.^[32]

On February 9, 2018, Pérez was arrested inVenezuela after he shot and killed Cesar Quintero, his 52-year old coach. The shooting was accidental and police ruled out foul play.^[33][34]

• List of Major League Baseball players from Venezuela

• Career statistics fromMLB, orESPN, orBaseball Reference, orFangraphs, orBaseball Reference (Minors), orRetrosheet