One of the savviest defenders in the entire state is without question INF Kenny Perez (De LaSalle, 2024). The Cincinnati commit roams the infield with all sorts of swagger to pair with high-level actions, soft hands and fluid footwork. Standing 5-foot-10, 180-pounds, there is still some filling out to be done in the coming years, which should only add more power to his right-handed bat that already shows confidence and rhythm when in the box. This past summer, Perez made his way down to Georgia to represent Team Illinois at the Future Games and left the event with an arrow up next to his name. Not only did he impress throughout his workout, he also performed in-game; taking home Dicks Sporting Goods Player of the Game honors after he went 2-for-3 with a double, RBI, run scored and stellar defense in a 10-1 victory over Team Midwest. Perez would go on to commit to Cincinnati in late October. 

We recently had the opportunity to talk through the recruiting process with Perez, with some other topics mixed in along the way. 

Our Q&A

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Kenny: I was looking for somewhere to go that felt like home, and also developed me as a player and a person.

P: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

K: No not really, it’s close to home. 

P: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

K: It started to heat up around the end of my sophomore year. Cincinnati first saw me at the Future Games.

P: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

K: The thing I liked the most about Cincinnati was that it's blue-collar and you have to work for what you want, and the coaching staff is great.

P: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

K: I had Charleston College, Lipscomb University and Illinois State.

P: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

K: Around eighth grade, that’s when I started to amp everything up.

P: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

K: I would say keep putting in the work it’s going to be long, but it’s worth it in the end - also fight through everything and never give up.

P: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

K: A most memorable moment would probably be the Future Games.

P: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

K: I feel really confident in my high school team. We're the team that nobody knows about but when they play us they will know who we are.

P: How did the Future Games affect your recruitment process? Did you receive more attention following the event?

K: I received a lot more attention from the Future Games.

P: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

K: I would say from my high school Jaden Carrasco.

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