When the New York Yankees announced that the shortstop position was up for grabs in spring training, Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza were the most likely players to win it.
Peraza was even the favorite, with Triple-A and MLB experience, over Volpe.
But the latter tore the cover off the ball in the spring and earned the gig.
Peraza, instead, was sent to Triple-A Scranton.
Far from putting his head down and being lost in the sadness and disappointment of not making the team, Peraza decided to take matters into his own hands and show the world he belongs in MLB.
He has been swinging a hot bat in Triple-A in six games since the campaign started.
“Just a heads up, Oswald Peraza has started the Triple-A season ON FIRE!! Over 6 games, he’s hitting: -.292 BA -.393 OBP -7 hits -2 RBIs -5 stolen bases,” Fireside Yankees tweeted.
Just heads up, Oswald Peraza has started the Triple-A season ON FIRE!!
Over 6 games, he’s hitting:
-.292 BA
-.393 OBP
-7 hits
-2 RBIs
-5 stolen bases pic.twitter.com/PnQMegpus1—Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) April 7, 2023
The homers aren’t there yet, but he hit 19 of them last year in Triple-A and one in MLB to total 20.
Peraza is not at the level Volpe is, but he is a fine prospect in his own right.
He is faster and a better defender than Volpe, but the latter gets the edge in power and on-base ability.
An ideal scenario for the Yankees would be the two of them sharing the middle infield in the Bronx for the next decade or so.
For now, the talented Peraza will have to wait for an opening on the big league roster.
Josh Donaldson just got hurt, but the team is using Isiah Kiner-Falefa and DJ LeMahieu to replace him.
If anything were to happen to Gleyber Torres or Volpe, Peraza will surely get the call.
NEXT:
Gleyber Torres Already Looks Like An All-Star This Season
