Blake Perkins Bio
Blake Alexander Perkins (born September 10, 1996) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball. Perkins made his major league debut in 2023 after progressing through the Washington Nationals, Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees organizations following his selection in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft.
Perkins is known for his athleticism in the outfield, base-stealing ability and positional versatility. His professional timeline includes a rapid rise through the minor leagues, a multi-team minor league tenure, and a transition to regular major league playing time with the Brewers beginning in 2023.
Early Life and Background
Perkins attended Verrado High School in Buckeye, Arizona, where he emerged as a standout high school outfielder and a college recruit. He committed to play for the Arizona State University Sun Devils but chose to sign a professional contract after being selected in the second round of the 2015 Major League Baseball draft with the 69th overall pick by the Washington Nationals.
After agreeing to terms with the Nationals, Perkins signed for an $800,000 bonus and began his professional career in the Gulf Coast League. Early in his development the Nationals encouraged Perkins to work as a switch hitter; that adjustment and subsequent refinements were part of his formative years in pro baseball.
Path to Baseball
Perkins progressed through the Nationals’ minor league system with assignments that included the Gulf Coast League Nationals, the Auburn Doubledays and the Hagerstown Suns. He spent the 2016 season primarily with Auburn and took on a larger role in center field for Hagerstown in 2017, where he served as a regular leadoff option alongside other top prospects in the organization.
By early 2018 Perkins was ranked among the Nationals’ top prospects and opened 2018 with the Potomac Nationals. Midseason opportunity and a significant organizational move came in June 2018 when Perkins was traded to the Kansas City Royals as part of a multi-player deal. The trade shifted Perkins’ developmental path and provided a new set of minor league assignments and roles.
Blake Perkins Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Perkins began his professional career in 2015 with the Gulf Coast League Nationals, posting a .211 average with one home run and 12 RBI across 49 games. The Nationals directed him to expand his offensive profile, leading to work on switch hitting and an adjustment period while Perkins established himself as a reliable defensive outfielder.
In 2016 Perkins spent the majority of the year with the Auburn Doubledays, where he showed developing speed and defensive chops, and in 2017 he took on a starting center field role for Hagerstown. Those seasons emphasized his athletic profile — speed on the bases, range in the outfield and opportunities to refine his bat against higher levels of pitching.
Kansas City Royals Breakthrough (2018–2021)
On June 18, 2018 Perkins was traded to the Kansas City Royals along with teammates in exchange for reliever Kelvin Herrera. The Royals assigned him to the Wilmington Blue Rocks, where he appeared in 64 games and used his speed to steal bases while contributing across the outfield.
Perkins returned to Wilmington in 2019 before earning a promotion to the Northwest Arkansas Naturals later that season. Across 2019 he compiled playing time between both levels, and like many minor leaguers he did not play in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season. In 2021 Perkins reestablished himself with Northwest Arkansas, continuing to show a blend of extra-base ability and base-stealing potential.
New York Yankees Development (2021–2022)
Perkins signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees on December 16, 2021. During his time in the Yankees organization he revisited his hitting approach; after attempting to return to full-time right-handed hitting he ultimately entered the season committed to switch hitting at the Yankees’ request and recorded productive numbers across Double-A Somerset and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
In 2022 Perkins appeared in 101 games between Somerset and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, posting a combined .246/.357/.456 line with 15 home runs, 50 RBI and 21 stolen bases. Those numbers showcased improved power and on-base skills, and he elected free agency following the 2022 season.
Milwaukee Brewers Era (2023–Present)
Perkins signed a one-year major league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on November 23, 2022 and was optioned to Triple-A Nashville to begin the 2023 season. He earned his first major league promotion on April 19, 2023 when the Brewers called him up following an injury to an outfield teammate and made his MLB debut that year.
In his rookie 2023 season Perkins appeared in 67 games for Milwaukee and hit .217/.325/.350 with four home runs, 20 RBI and five stolen bases. He established himself as a roster option in the outfield and an on-base presence with baserunning upside. Perkins saw expanded opportunity in 2024, appearing in 121 games and setting career highs with six home runs, 43 RBI and 23 stolen bases while slashing .240/.316/.332.
Perkins began the 2025 campaign dealing with a shin fracture sustained during batting practice that briefly sidelined him; he missed several weeks, was transferred to the 60-day injured list in April and returned to the active roster in mid-July. Across the 2025 season he made 54 regular-season appearances and slashed .226/.298/.348 with three home runs, 19 RBI and seven stolen bases. To begin the 2026 season Perkins was optioned to Triple-A Nashville. His cumulative major league statistics through June 28, 2026 list 14 home runs, 93 RBI and a .224 batting average.
Driving Style and Strengths
Perkins combines outfield range and baserunning speed with a developing offensive profile that has included occasional power in the minor leagues and improved on-base rates. He has experience both as a center fielder and a leadoff-type hitter in the minors, and his stolen base totals reflect game-changing speed that complements his defensive positioning.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Perkins’ career include his selection in the second round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Washington Nationals, the June 2018 trade to the Kansas City Royals, signing a major league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers in November 2022, his MLB debut in April 2023, and career-high counting stats established during the 2024 season. The shin fracture in February 2025 and subsequent return in July 2025 also marked a notable mid-career setback and recovery.
Blake Perkins Family
Personal Life
Perkins has stated personal faith as part of his public biography. He maintains a social media presence and is publicly identified by name and playing history; other private family details, including parents and marital status, are not part of his widely published professional profile.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season for Perkins was defined by injury and recovery. A shin fracture sustained in late February of 2025 required several weeks of rehabilitation, an extended stint on the 60-day injured list in the spring and eventual activation in mid-July. Once back in the lineup he provided depth in the Brewers outfield and contributed seven stolen bases and three home runs across 54 appearances.
Perkins’ 2025 campaign illustrated both the fragility and resilience of a developing major leaguer: the injury interrupted what might have been a chance to build on his 2024 career highs, but his return to action and regular contributions in the second half reinforced his value as a speed-and-defense outfielder who can be deployed in center or a corner position as needed.