Brewers prospect Hedbert Perez working on finding consistency at the plate with Timber Rattlers

The last full week of May was a good one for Wisconsin Timber Rattlers outfielder Hedbert Perez.

The 22-year-old Perez went 10-for-22 with a double and two home runs. He also stole a pair of bases in the series against Beloit.

That performance earned him the Midwest League player of the week award for the week ending May 25.

“I was just really confident in what I was doing,” Perez said. “I wasn't like thinking about the results. Just trying to take good at-bats and, thankfully, it was a really good week, but it was just trying to get on the field, do my routine and just feel confident of what I’m doing.”

Before his hot week, Perez said there were not any adjustments he had been working on with the Wisconsin coaches.

“It’s a mental thing, being locked in and staying that way,” Perez said. “It’s like you can hit what the pitcher throws in and which pitches you need to stay away from. It’s 90% mental, being patient and just having good at-bats.”

Perez is batting .227 with a .328 on-base percentage for the Timber Rattlers this season, with six home runs and 25 RBIs. He also has nine doubles and a team-leading three triples.

He's batting just .156 at home this season but has a .284 average on the road.

He’s not sure why the home and away splits are so extreme.

“Honestly, I’ve always thought about that because it’s always been like that ever since rookie ball,” Perez said. “I honestly have no idea. I just wake up and try to do the same thing every single day.

“Maybe it’s because when we’re at home and we get here earlier and do a bunch of other stuff.”

Perez, who plays mostly left field for the Timber Rattlers, hasn’t always been solely a left fielder.

“Growing up, I played every single outfield position, also first base,” he said. “Now I play a little bit more in the corners but, honestly, I feel really confident and, you know, it doesn’t matter which one of the three.”

He also pitched back in his Little League days, but says he wasn’t very good on the mound.

Perez, who was born in Caracas, Venezuela, made the decision to be a baseball player early in life.

How early? About two years before a person can get a driver’s license.

"I was really like working out, focusing to get signed when I was like 14,” said Perez, who signed a free-agent contract in 2019 with the Milwaukee Brewers when he was 16. “Obviously, it was two years of lifting, running, getting up early to just work out.”

And what was it like for him to sign that contract?

“It was happiness,” he said. “I was just thankful, my whole family was thankful, and it was a really, really exciting moment for me.”

Still, it can't be easy to leave home at 16.

“It was tough,” Perez said about leaving behind his parents and little sister. “But I feel like because I knew I was doing the sport that I loved, that I loved my entire life, and having a family that loves you and supports you, that’s what helps to drive me every single day.”

Perez also has experience playing winter ball in Venezuela in 2023 and 2024.

“i was there for like two weeks (2023) and then last year,” he said. “It’s good for you. It’s going to help you develop.

“First of all, it was fun because you're in your hometown. You’re just playing in front of your people ... your family, your friends. It’s exciting, but it’s competitive.”

What makes it competitive is that it’s a short season of 2½ months.

“It’s not like here where you have 100-something games,” Perez said. “You have to win or you’re out. It’s competitive. It’s like Triple-A or Triple-A/big leagues. You have a lot of young players, but you also have guys who have played in the big leagues like Alcides Escobar.”

Five questions with Hedbert Perez

If baseball is your best sport, what is your second-best sport?

“Definitely soccer.”

You’re taking your friends on a tour of your hometown. What is the one must-see thing?

“Probably go to the mountains because it’s really cold. You can stay there for a couple of nights and it’s beautiful.”

What do you like to do on your day off?

“Spend time with my girlfriend and just play a lot of video games.”

What was it like growing up in Venezuela and then making the transition to living in the United States?

“Honestly, I think because I learned the language from when I was younger and have family here in the United States, it was a little easier for me. Obviously, it’s hard to be without your family but you have teammates and family over here.”

Who is your favorite baseball player, either retired or currently playing?

“I really like Ken Griffey Jr. And when I was like 14 or 15, I really watched Bryce Harper.”

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Milwaukee Brewers prospect Hedbert Perez having success in Wisconsin