Yankees Top 30 Prospects for 2021: Everson Pereira (OF, #17)
Everson Pereira is one of 7 players the New York Yankees gave a 7 figure bonus to as an IFA in 2017. He’s also the most promising of the bunch so far, even with just 59 professional games played. A true center field prospect with an all-fields hitting approach and good-to-great defense, Pereira was pushed hard his first two seasons, making it to Staten Island. Without a short-season level in the minors, Tampa looks to be where he’ll start the 2021 season with hopes of an MLB debut coming at the tail end of 2023.
EVERSON PEREIRA, OF (#17):
Age/Date of Birth: 20 Years Old (04/10/2001)
Most Recent Team(s) (Level and Year): Staten Island Yankees (Class A: Short Season, 2019)
Most Recent Yearly Statistics (2019): .171/.216/.257 (.473 OPS), 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 4 Walks, 26 Strikeouts (18 Games, 74 At-Bats)
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Height/Weight: 6’0”/191 Pounds
Acquired: Signed by the New York Yankees during the 2017 International Free Agent period
MLB ETA: 2023
EVERSON PEREIRA SCOUTING GRADES (20-80 SCALE):
Hit/Power: 50/50
Run: 55
Field/Arm: 60/55
Overall: 45
What to Know:
Coming out of Venezuela during the 2017-2018 international signing period, Everson Pereira was one of 7 players signed by the New York Yankees for a 7-figure bonus that year, coming to terms on a $1.5 million signing bonus for the 16-year-old outfielder.
As with most international talent, after signing in early July, 2017, Pereira would have to wait about a year to make his professional debut. Typically this is a transition year for the player as he and the organization work out travel/work visas, attend instructional camps, etc.
In 2018, however, Pereira would make his professional debut at 17-years-old, skipping by the lower levels of Rookie Ball and going straight to the Pulaski Yankees (Appalachian League). He would spend 41 games, hitting to a solid .263/.322/.389 in his first professional season as the youngest player in the league.
This would earn Pereira a shot with the Staten Island Yankees (New York-Penn League, Class A: Short Season) in 2019, though he played just 18 games around hamstring and foot injuries that may have also been a reason his batting line was so low at: .171/.216/.257. Though, he’s also been promoted very quickly for a player of his age.
Periera also spent part of Fall 2020 in the Yankees Dominican instructional league (no stats recorded/available), of which he showed up at 200 pounds (he’s listed at 191) with much better musculature.
As a hitter, Pereira’s abilities have looked worse because of the sizeable gap in experience and age of which will fix itself over time. His bat produces an all-fields line-drive based approach which is promoted by a quick swing and great hand-eye coordination. His power is average and could improve with a more pull-heavy approach, but is unnecessary at the moment.
As a fielder, while Pereira’s increase in muscle has slowed him down, he still ranks as an above-average runner which allows him to comfortably play center field. His instincts (and glove) also help him in the middle outfield position, alongside a solid above-average arm. While he can play any of the 3 outfield positions, center field looks to be his spot for the future.
What Will the Future Hold?
After two very aggressive years of promotion (and a year off in 2020) it is hard to say what the Yankees will do with Pereira and placing him for 2021. Now 20 years old, it would be backwards from Pereira’s developmental plan to send him to the rookie-league GCL Yankees, so a season with the Tampa Tarpons (Class Low-A) seems likely. I’d also not be surprised to see an mid-year promotion/end-of-the-year stint with the Hudson Valley Renegades (Class High-A) given the Yankees desires to push Pereira hard.
I’d think Pereira has a shot of breaking into the MLB in 2023, though I’d hedge my bets and say that his MLB debut would be more likely to come in 2024. This is due to the long-term contract of Aaron Hicks (through 2026), a different unnamed potential Yankee center field prospect, and the lack of track record currently on Pereira. While I’m hopeful on the young Venezuelan, he does have an uphill battle for a spot in center field with the New York Yankees…though, if he is able to access all of his tools as expected, any outfield spot should fit him well.
