Yankees rookie Oswald Peraza takes inspiration from hero Derek Jeter as he guns for permanent shortstop position

New York Yankees rookie Oswald Peraza stood starstruck in a corner when his idol and all-time favorite hero growing up, Derek Jeter, made a surprise visit to the Yankees' clubhouse last year sometime in September.

Derek had just been honored with a HOF seat and had made his way back to the Yankee Stadium to thank the fans for all their support for so many years.

New York Yankees

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Gates will open at 5pm for tonight’s game. We ask fans to be seated by 6:30pm for tonight’s Derek Jeter Hall of Fame Tribute Ceremony.

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Gates will open at 5pm for tonight’s game. We ask fans to be seated by 6:30pm for tonight’s Derek Jeter Hall of Fame Tribute Ceremony. https://t.co/9CzPHhZ9Xc

"Gates will open at 5pm for tonight’s game. We ask fans to be seated by 6:30pm for tonight’s Derek Jeter Hall of Fame Tribute Ceremony," New York Yankees, Twitter

An extremely nervous Peraza could barely, could barely bring himself together to shake Jeter's hand. And while he didn't get the handshake, Peraza did manage to briefly meet his favorite player, and that's what it was really all about.

“I was a Yankees fan growing up,” Peraza said through interpreter Marlon Abreu. “That’s why this opportunity means so much. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me — to have an opportunity like this in front of me, within reach, it means a lot."

Peraza is vying for Derek Jeter's famed shortstop position and currently sits on top of the pack in the Bronx. Deemed ready to go, Peraza's 2023 looks very exciting and promising.

“Trying to do the best I can,” Peraza concluded.

New York Post

@nypost

Yankees’ Oswald Peraza vying to follow footsteps of idol Derek Jeter trib.al/QAnIban

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Yankees’ Oswald Peraza vying to follow footsteps of idol Derek Jeter trib.al/QAnIban https://t.co/GQYry2Kpbu

"Yankees’ Oswald Peraza vying to follow footsteps of idol Derek Jeter https://trib.al/QAnIban" - New York Post, Twitter

He's impressed on and all in the 16-odd games he played last season, and the majority vouches for him doing big things this season too.

Oswald Peraza was only promoted to the big leagues last year

Oswald Peraza signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent in 2016 and made his MLB debut in 2022.

He was promoted to the major leagues on Sept. 1, 2022, and in 49 at-bats he hit .306/.404/.429, while playing 12 games at shortstop and four games at second base.

Yankees Videos

@snyyankees

"Beautiful experience. You ask any kid, they probably tell you they want to be the shortstop for the New York Yankees"

- Oswald Peraza on playing shortstop at Yankee Stadium

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"Beautiful experience. You ask any kid, they probably tell you they want to be the shortstop for the New York Yankees"

- Oswald Peraza on playing shortstop at Yankee Stadium https://t.co/xhjW1MdaUz

"'Beautiful experience. You ask any kid, they probably tell you they want to be the shortstop for the New York Yankees' - Oswald Peraza on playing shortstop at Yankee Stadium" - Yankees Videos, Twitter

Peraza has left his mark on the shortstop role in New York, and it looks increasingly clearer day by day that he is making it his position.

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