Blake Perkins Bio
Blake Alexander Perkins is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on September 10, 1996, he made his Major League Baseball debut in 2023 after years of development across several organizations. Perkins first reached the big leagues with the Brewers, the franchise where he has spent the bulk of his major league career and where he continues to compete as a versatile outfielder.
Before arriving in Milwaukee, Perkins spent time within the farm systems of the Washington Nationals, Kansas City Royals, and New York Yankees. He was originally drafted by Washington in 2015 and steadily worked his way through the minor leagues. Known for his speed, defensive range, and switch-hitting ability, Perkins has built his professional career on athleticism and on-base skills rather than raw power.
Early Life and Background
Blake Alexander Perkins grew up in the Phoenix metropolitan area and attended Verrado High School in Buckeye, Arizona. As a prep player, he drew attention from professional scouts for his speed, defensive instincts in the outfield, and his advanced approach at the plate. His performance in high school positioned him as one of the more intriguing outfield prospects in his draft class.
Coming out of high school, Perkins was committed to play college baseball at Arizona State University, a traditional powerhouse program that develops major league talent. However, his strong draft stock led to an early professional opportunity, and he chose to begin his baseball career in the minor leagues right away. This decision marked the start of a long developmental path that would eventually lead him to the major leagues.
Path to Baseball
The Washington Nationals selected Blake Alexander Perkins in the second round, with the 69th overall pick, of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the organization for an $800,000 bonus, forgoing his commitment to Arizona State University. The Nationals viewed him as a long-term outfield prospect with the tools to grow into a regular contributor at the big league level.
After signing, Perkins made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast League Nationals in 2015, hitting .211 with one home run and 12 runs batted in across 49 games. The organization asked him to develop into a switch hitter following his rookie season, an adjustment he worked on throughout the next several years. In 2016, he spent the majority of his time with the Auburn Doubledays, posting a .233 average with one home run, 16 runs batted in, and ten stolen bases in 59 games, while also appearing briefly with the Hagerstown Suns.
In 2017, Perkins became the starting center fielder and usual leadoff hitter for Hagerstown, where he shared an outfield with top Nationals prospects such as Juan Soto and Daniel Johnson. Entering 2018, MLB Pipeline ranked him as the Nationals’ 11th-best prospect, and he opened the year with the Potomac Nationals, where he batted .234 with one home run and 21 runs batted in across 65 games. His development was steady, but a midseason trade shifted his path toward a new organization.
Blake Perkins Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Perkins began his professional career within the Washington Nationals’ minor league system, moving from the Gulf Coast League to Auburn and then to Hagerstown. He used his early seasons to refine his switch-hitting approach while continuing to flash above-average speed and defensive ability. By 2017, he was a regular presence at the top of the lineup for Hagerstown, demonstrating the on-base skills that scouts had projected when he was drafted.
His growth was significant enough that he entered 2018 ranked among the Nationals’ top prospects, but his time in the organization ended that June. On June 18, 2018, during the Carolina League All-Star Break, the Nationals traded Perkins, Kelvin Gutiérrez, and Yohanse Morel to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for reliever Kelvin Herrera. The deal sent him to a new developmental environment within the Royals’ farm system.
Kansas City Royals Era (2018–2021)
Following the trade, the Royals assigned Perkins to the Wilmington Blue Rocks, where he batted .240 with two home runs, 18 runs batted in, and 17 stolen bases across 64 games. He returned to Wilmington to start 2019 before earning a midseason promotion to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. Over 122 combined games between the two affiliates, he hit .224 with eight home runs, 34 runs batted in, and 22 stolen bases, showing the kind of offensive consistency the organization was looking to develop.
The 2020 minor league season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving Perkins without a competitive season that year. He returned to the Naturals in 2021 and played 72 games, posting a .202 average with seven home runs, 30 runs batted in, and nine stolen bases. Following the season, he was traded to or signed with the New York Yankees organization, closing out his developmental chapter in Kansas City.
New York Yankees Era (2021–2022)
On December 16, 2021, Perkins signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization. During his time in the Yankees system, he committed to continuing to switch-hit after considering a return to batting only right-handed. The organization split his 2022 season between the Double-A Somerset Patriots and the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.
Across 101 combined games in 2022, Perkins hit .246 with 15 home runs, 50 runs batted in, and 21 stolen bases, producing his most productive offensive line to that point. Despite the encouraging season, he elected free agency on November 10, 2022, opening the door for a major league opportunity elsewhere.
Milwaukee Brewers Era (2023–Present)
On November 23, 2022, Blake Alexander Perkins signed a one-year, major league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. He was optioned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds to open the 2023 season, but his big league opportunity arrived quickly. On April 19, 2023, he was promoted to the major leagues for the first time after Garrett Mitchell suffered a shoulder injury. In 67 games during his rookie year, he batted .217 with four home runs, 20 runs batted in, and five stolen bases.
Perkins returned to the Brewers in 2024 and enjoyed a stronger all-around season, making 121 appearances and posting a .240 average with career highs in home runs (6), runs batted in (43), and stolen bases (23). His growing role reflected the organization’s belief in his speed and defensive value at all three outfield positions. Heading into 2025, he appeared to be settling into a regular role with the club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Perkins is valued for his speed, defensive versatility, and ability to play all three outfield spots at a high level. His offensive game emphasizes getting on base, using his legs to create pressure on the basepaths, and delivering timely contact rather than relying on over-the-fence power. Coaches have consistently praised his work ethic and his willingness to make adjustments at the plate.
Notable Events and Milestones
Perkins reached the major leagues for the first time on April 19, 2023, when he was called up by the Brewers following an injury to Garrett Mitchell. He posted a career-best season in 2024, setting personal highs in home runs, runs batted in, and stolen bases. A fractured shin suffered during batting practice in February 2025 delayed the start of his season, but he was activated in July and finished the year with the Brewers.
Blake Perkins Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Blake Alexander Perkins’ immediate family is limited. He grew up in the Phoenix area and developed his baseball skills in the Arizona high school system before beginning his professional career at a young age.
Personal Life
Perkins is a Christian and has spoken openly about how his faith plays a role in his approach to professional baseball. Beyond that, he keeps most of his personal life out of the public eye, and he has shared only limited details about his life away from the field.
2025 Season Performance
Perkins’ 2025 season began with a setback, as he was diagnosed with a fractured shin after fouling a ball off himself during batting practice in February. The injury was expected to keep him out for three to four weeks, and on April 26, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list, prolonging his absence. He was activated for his season debut on July 13, providing the Brewers with an outfield boost during the second half of the year.
He appeared in 54 games for Milwaukee during the regular season, batting .226 with three home runs, 19 runs batted in, and seven stolen bases. The shortened playing time limited his overall counting statistics, but his return allowed the Brewers to use him as a versatile defensive piece in the outfield. He remained a depth option who could play all three outfield positions and contribute on the bases.
Looking ahead, Perkins was optioned to Triple-A Nashville to begin the 2026 season, indicating that the Brewers continue to view him as a depth piece with major league ability. His blend of speed, switch-hitting, and defensive versatility keeps him firmly in the mix for a return to the big league roster, and his 2024 performance remains a benchmark for what he can deliver over a full season.
