Rockies prospect Robbie Perkins to play for Australia in World Baseball Classic Qualifiers

Qualifying rounds for the next World Baseball Classic begin this fall, and among the men selected to represent Australia will be Colorado Rockies catching prospect Robbie Perkins, according to MLB.com's Thomas Harding.

The 21-year-old Perkins is a native of Canberra, Australia's capital city and home to the Australian Baseball League's Canberra Cavalry, with whom he has played winter ball.

Perkins spent last season as a member of the Low-A Asheville Tourists, where he played in 41 games. He hit .200/.259/.304 with 14 RBI for the Tourists, in what was his first year in full season play. Perkins is also a regular in the ABL, playing for his hometown Cavalry in each of the last three years.

When I spoke to Correlle Prime last month, who played for Perth over the winter, he had some insight into Perkins' game during what, statistically, looked to be a tough few months Down Under.

"We got a nice glimpse of Robbie." Prime said. "He DH'ed and caught for Canberra, he was lining out a lot against us, so that might have something to do with his average. He was hitting the ball really, really hard from what I saw."

As is the case with many catchers, offense has thus far been the missing element in Perkins' career, as he allowed just five passed balls in 343 innings last season.

We wish Perkins and the entire Australian team all the best as they head into qualifying this fall, and hopefully into the World Baseball Classic in 2017.