Perkins keeping it simple at double-A Reading
READING - Cameron Perkins of Reading has hit well at three minor-league levels, but don't ask the 6-foot-5, 200-pound outfielder to give a detailed scouting report of himself.
READING - Cameron Perkins of Reading has hit well at three minor-league levels, but don't ask the 6-foot-5, 200-pound outfielder to give a detailed scouting report of himself.
"I am a tough guy to figure out," he said, laughing. "I can't even figure myself out."
Apparently, neither can pitchers in the double-A Eastern League.
A righthanded batter, Perkins has been one of the best hitters in the Phillies organization this year, even though he has cooled down slightly from a torrid start.
In April, Perkins was named the Phillies' minor-league position player of the month after batting .382 (34 for 89) with a 1.023 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. Perkins entered the weekend hitting .341 with two home runs, 19 RBIs, and a .902 OPS for the season and had reached base in 30 consecutive games.
He said the reason for his success is that he doesn't make things too complicated.
"I go out there and have a pretty simple approach," he said. "I look for a good fastball to hit, and if I find one I swing at it."
Perkins was a sixth-round draft choice in 2012 out of Purdue University. He was primarily a third baseman in college. During his first pro season that summer in Williamsport, he played first, third, and right field.
Last season at Clearwater he was moved exclusively to the outfield, playing 69 games in right and 20 in left field.
This season he has played all three outfield spots, including one game in center, and has seen some time at first base.
While this type of versatility will no doubt help Perkins, it is his offense that is his true strength.
"He has had a lot of success playing two to three positions, and the guy is a hitter," said Joe Jordan, the Phillies director of player development. "He has done nothing but hit since he's been with the organization."
Perkins, who turns 24 in September, hit .304 at short-season Williamsport in 2012. Last season he batted .295 with six home runs and 54 RBIs at high-A Clearwater.
He also spent five weeks on the disabled list, beginning June 1, after his left wrist was fractured by a pitch.
Perkins didn't need surgery but said it took a little time to shake off the rust.
"I just needed some live at-bats, but the toughest thing is that it was boring being out five weeks," he said.
This season has been anything but boring. Perkins admitted that getting off to a good start at double A has helped his confidence. But keeping things simple has always been the main reason for his success.
"I have been getting good pitches to swing at and putting good swings," he said.
It is much more involved than that, but Perkins has thrived by making it look easy, not overthinking and relying on his hitting instincts to keep advancing in the system.
@sjnard
