The Orioles made a significant step to bolster their international presence by hiring Koby Perez to lead international scouting.

Perez, who is 40, was named Senior Director of International Scouting. He spent the previous five seasons with the Cleveland Indians and served for the past three years as Cleveland’s Director of Latin American Scouting.

“In Koby Perez, we have found the right person to spearhead the Orioles’ new international presence,” said Orioles Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Elias.

“His experience, connections, and reputation built across a fast-rising career in multiple successful organizations will immediately elevate our capabilities in this critical market. Hiring Koby is a major first step in improving our footing in Latin America. We will continue to augment our operation until the Baltimore Orioles are leaders in recruiting and developing international players.”

The Orioles weren’t active in international scouting until July when Elias’ predecessor, Dan Duquette, announced the team would become aggressive in the Latin American market, which it had long eschewed.

Although the team signed a handful of mid-range prospects, the bigger names, including outfielder Victor Victor Mesa and pitcher Sandy Gaston, signed elsewhere.

The Orioles expect to be aggressive in the international market when the next signing period begins July 3.

Cleveland had 13 scouts in Latin America this past season, the Orioles just two, Joel Bradley, who is no longer with the club, and Calvin Maduro.

Before joining the Indians, Perez was with the Philadelphia Phillies for five years, focusing on Latin American scouting. Among the players he was responsible for signing were infielder Maikel Franco, outfielder Domingo Santana and right-handed pitchers Seranthony Dominguez and Hector Neris.

Perez, who is a native of the Dominican Republic, played 20 games in the Boston Red Sox organization in 2002 and 2003.

He and Elias first worked together in the St. Louis organization, where Perez served as a Northeast area scout from 2006-2008.