Bryan Hoch: "The sense is that the Yankees would love to see Peraza resoundingly win the job this spring"
With spring training around the corner, the New York Yankees' starting lineup is starting to take shape. While most positions have been accounted for, there are a few key roles up for grabs.
A handful of Yankees players will be looking to make their mark during spring training. Oswald Peraza will be one of the players to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.
Peraza impressed during the end of last season and has a realistic chance of starting at the shortstop position on the opening day.
MLB insider Bryan Hoch believes the young Venezuelan has the ability to establish himself as the club's primary shortstop next season.
"The sense is that the Yankees would love to see Peraza resoundingly win the job this spring, which would allow them to shift Kiner-Falefa into more of a utility role," said Hoch
Isiah Kiner-Falefa has experience on his side and has played 540 games over a five-year career in the MLB. The 27-year-old had a subpar 2022 and has subsequently fallen out of favor. He has failed to live up to the club's expectations since his move from the Minnesota Twins last season.
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Anthony Volpe is one of the league's top prospects, but is yet to make his debut in the majors. It would be a huge risk to throw him into the deep end this early in his career. Hoch believes Peraza's presence in the lineup would allow Volpe more time to develop in the minors.
The New York Yankees will look to Oswald Peraza to fill
the role of shortstop in 2023
Since signing with the New York Yankees as an international free agent in 2016, Peraza has steadily worked his way up the ladder.
In 2022, Peraza spent the bulk of his time with the club's AAA affiliate, where he finished with an outstanding .329 OBP and .777 OPS. He recorded 19 home runs, 50 RBIs and 100 hits over 386 at-bats.
An impressive stint in the minors saw Peraza promoted to the big leagues in September. He grabbed his opportunity with both hands.
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After failing to get a hit in his first three appearances, Peraza went 3-5 with a run against the Twins on September 7. Over an 18-game stretch, he finished with a .306/.404/.429 slash line and a .833 OPS.
Aaron Boone seems to trust Peraza as a shortstop. An exceptional regular-season earned Peraza a start against the Houston Astros in the AL Championship series.
The Yankees have had difficulty filling the shortstop position since the departure of Derek Jeter. Peraza could be the guy to establish himself in the role.