BEHIND THE NUMBERS OF CHRIS PERRY’S PROMOTION
Perry turned in one of the best seasons for any reliever in the Chiefs 32 year history. In 28 games he went 4-0 with a 2.20 ERA covering 49 innings of work. Perry saved three games, earned five holds and finished off eight contests. He struck out 80 batters while walking just 15 over his 49 innings. The numbers lead to a 0.90 WHIP, a 14.7 K/9IP ratio and a .165 opponents average against.The Chiefs will have to negotiate the second half of the Midwest League season without their most consistent reliever as All-Star Chris Perry was promoted to Palm Beach after Tuesday’s game. It is going to be “next man up” in the bullpen but will likely take a team effort to replace what Perry meant to the Chiefs through 87 games this season.
So where do all those numbers rank among the Midwest League leaders and in Chiefs history? Glad you asked.
As for the Midwest League, Perry leaves the Chiefs ranking 2nd in the league in reliever K/9IP, 4th in reliever opponents average against and fourth in relievers WHIP.
If you sort the 32 year Chiefs history by pitchers who threw at least 49 innings (Perry’s total) you’ll get 302 names. There are 70 who like Perry, pitched only in relief. Of those 302, Perry is #1 in strikeouts per 9 innings and his 14.7 number beats the previous high by one full strikeout. Ben Julianel posted a 13.7 number in 2003 over 51 2/3 innings.
Perry’s 0.90 WHIP ranks fourth among relievers behind Jared Blasdell 0.75 in 2002, Alex Maestri 0.87 in 2007 and Brian Reed 0.89 in 1995. Of those three Maestri made four starts in 48 games and totaled 83 2/3 innings while Reed pitched 60 times for 61 innings and Blasdell threw 65 2/3 innings in 53 appearances.
Perry’s .165 average against is also fourth behind Brandon DeJaynes .151 in 2003,
Blasdell at .155 in 2002 and Heath Slocumb .162 in 1989.
Perry’s 80 strikeouts are tied for 8th among all Chiefs pitchers with zero starts. The other pitcher with 80, Keith Glauber, needed 64 innings in 1996 to rack up 80 strikeouts. How dominant are Perry’s K numbers? Well put it this way, Michael Sodders holds the Chiefs single season strikeout record at 177 in 1989. His K/9 IP ratio is 7.7, or nearly half of what Perry posted in 2014.
Good luck in Palm Beach Chris!