White Sox draft USF closer Andrew Perez

Left-handed closer Andrew Perez became the second Bull to go off the big-league draft board Tuesday afternoon when the White Sox selected him in the eighth round with the 228th overall pick.

A 20-year-old junior from Orlando, Perez follows 2018 Friday night starter Shane McClanahan, a Rays compensatory first-round pick late Monday evening. A handful of veteran Bulls everyday players are expected to be drafted Wednesday when the draft concludes with rounds 11-40.

"It's an amazing and humble opportunity," Perez said in a text message Tuesday evening. "The road has not been a straight one, but being able to grow over the last few years I am very grateful for the opportunity."

Equipped with an overpowering two-seam fastball (as well as a change-up and slider), Perez finished 6-3 with 12 saves this past season, meaning he had a hand in exactly half (18) of the Bulls' 36 victories. In 42 1/3 innings, he struck out 50, walked 12 and posted a 2.34 ERA.

He established himself as the team's primary closer in 2017, finishing 6-3 with six saves and 52 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings.