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Astros agree to deal with Cuban lefty Perez

Related Topics: Cole Hamels, Houston Astros, Cuba

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound Perez has drawn some comparisons to Rangers lefty Cole Hamels when Hamels was at a similar stage in his development. Evaluators like Perez's athletic body, to which he has added about 25 pounds since leaving Cuba in May 2015.

Perez's fastball sits 92-95 mph, with projections he could at some point hover between 94-97. He also possess a slider and changeup. He has the ceiling of a mid-rotation starter and the floor of a hard-throwing reliever. A native of Matanzas, Cuba, Perez went 7-2 with 75 strikeouts and 32 walks in 87 1/3 innings for Matanzas in 2014-15, his only two seasons with the club.