
By Patrick Lujan
The first professional pitcher from Guam is back home for some well-deserved rest and relaxation with his family for the first time in three years.
Pete Perez, Jr. is coming off his rookie season with the Rome Braves, the Class A team of the Atlanta Braves, where he was converted to a reliever after being a starting pitcher for practically his entire baseball life.
“It was a big eye-opener,” Perez said about his first pro year. “It was fun. A couple of ups and downs. All the talent is the same but it’s how consistent you can be. Overall, I’m pleased with what I did.
“I do like relieving more than starting now because I get a chance to get into every game. As a starter, you only get in every five days or so. Now, I might miss one or two games but other than that, I’ll be in almost every single time. Being in the bullpen, there’s a good chance you’re going to get in the game.”
The 23-year-old righty started his season on April 19th and pitched in 44 games through September 1st, finishing with an 0-4 record and tossing 57 2/3 innings with 59 strikeouts and seven saves.
“I started off hot and got the closer (role) then I struggled at the end,” Perez said.
The 2003 Little League World Series veteran said that the long season weighs on the body and conditioning. The former starter who was used to 30-game seasons at Tarleton State said he started to feel the wear on the body two-thirds into the 142-game minor league season.
“I felt it after 100 games. They call it ‘The Dog Days of August’. That’s when it really kicks in and in Georgia, it’s really hot and the body is tired but you have to push through it.”
The oldest of four children to Peter and Renee Perez, Pete Jr. has been spending some time back home after almost 10 years of stateside living in pursuit of living his dream.

Pete Perez, Jr. recently talks with GSPN about his first year as a pro pitcher with the Atlanta Braves organization. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
The Big Sacrifice
Like many Guam kids, Pete Jr. had a dream of playing in the big leagues. It was when he was 14-years-old when HE decided that it would be best for him to move to the states to get better baseball training.
“The hardest part was letting him go at 14. Letting him move from Guam and not having him in my life every day. He’s my first born,” mother Renee Perez said. “That was my hardest, but he asked me to do it, though.”
Looking back, Renee says it’s been all worth it “because he’s where he wants to be. He showed me that this is what he wanted.”
For his father Pete Sr., the determining factor was after his successful performance at the 2003 LLWS. “I thought that if he wanted to move ahead, he had to move to the states. He could’ve stayed here and played, but the hardest thing was convincing mom, so he asked her. If I asked her, she would’ve said, ‘No’.”
“I did say ‘No!’ at first,” the mom quickly said. “But it was his decision and I had to support it.”
For 13-year-old brother Andrew, he sees his brother’s journey in a whole different lense with his mind set on the perks. “Free baseball games and I want to meet his teammates.”
The Next Step
The former Benavente Middle School and St. Paul freshman will be heading back to Atlanta after Thanksgiving and looks forward to his second year of his three-year contract.
And after talking with his Rome Braves manager at season’s end, things are looking good.
“The manager was really pleased with my performance throughout the season and they’ve said nothing but good things,” he said. As for the organization’s plans for him, Pete Jr. said he’s expecting a call from the front office some time this month before he heads back to get into more details about contract.
“The ultimate goal is to make it to the big leagues, but it’s about being consistent and not getting hurt, because you can’t do anything if you’re on the bench. It’s all about having fun and play my game. If I do that, I’ll be fine. Staying consistent is the big thing. It’s not about having a good game, have a bad game, have a good game…it’s about being consistent because not everything is going to go your way all the time. ”
Wherever way his baseball career takes him, it’s safe to say that his moral foundation set forth by his family will have him ready for any curveball life may toss at him.
NOTES: Perez has mastered the fastball (topped at 96 mph), change up and slider…He is the fifth Guam player to make it to the pros following Keith Hattig (1994), JR Hattig (1999-2008), James Guerrero (2005-2011), Trae Santos (2013-present) and Perez (2014-present)…he and Trae Santos share the same agent.


GPS Sports Calendar
December 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for November
1st
ISA BOYS SOCCER
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
2nd
IRON LEGENDS THROWDOWN
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
4th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER
ISA BOYS SOCCER
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
5th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for December
5th
Events for December
7th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER PLAYOFFS
Events for December
9th
40th GRC PLUMERIA ROAD RACE
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for December
10th
TOUR OF GUAM 2023
GUAM RUGBY INTERNATIONAL 7s TOURNAMENT
Events for December
11th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for December
12th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
12th
Events for December
14th
ISA HS BASEBALL
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER FINALS
Events for December
15th
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
IIAAG GIRLS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for December
16th
3rd GUAM NINJA CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA HS BASEBALL
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
Events for December
16th
Events for December
18th
IIAAG BOYS SOCCER ALL-ISLAND MEETING
Events for December
19th
ISA HS BASEBALL
ISA GIRLS BASKETBALL
Events for December
19th
Events for December
23rd
HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING
ISA HS BASEBALL FINALS
Events for December
23rd
Events for December
24th
Events for December
25th
Events for December
27th
Events for December
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for December
30th

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
3×3 HOOPS REPEAT AS GOLDEN BOYS

Basketball
RAPADAS LEADS WILD COUGAR COMEBACK

Baseball
GUAM HOSTS KIWIS IN U15 BASEBALL

Baseball
ROYALS DOWN FRIARS IN STATEMENT GAME

Basketball
SHARKS FEND OFF DOLPHINS IN GIRLS HOOPS
COMING SOON …
- IIAAG Girls Basketball Playoffs