Indians draft ambidextrous pitcher Ryan Perez in 12th round of draft

Pat Venditte may soon have company in his very rare club. Venditte made headlines last week when he was called up by the Oakland Athletics because of his ability to throw with both arms.

Venditte was only the second player in the modern era to pitch with both arms in the majors, but he could one day be joined by Indians draft pick Ryan Perez.

The Cleveland Indians selected the ambidextrous pitcher in the 12th round of the draft on Wednesday, 364th overall. According to MLB.com, Indians manager Terry Francona is eager to get a look at the 21-year-old.

After Cleveland selected the 21-year-old Perez with the Draft’s 364th overall pick, Francona was informed by assistant general manager Mike Chernoff that the club had indeed added a switch-pitcher.

“I thought he was kidding,” Francona said on Wednesday. “He might not even go to the Minor Leagues. I don’t care if he gets anyone out — just the idea that he can go both sides. I thought they were messing with me.”

Perez, for the most part, doesn’t switch between arms based on the batter, unlike Venditte. He pitched as a left-handed starter but would also come out of the bullpen as a righty. He throws a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup with both arms. He played his collegiate ball at Judson University but pitched 27.1 innings this year due to a triceps injury, he also had Tommy John surgery as a high school senior.

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Ian Denomme is an editor and writer for Yahoo Sports. Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter.