It appears that the Atlanta Braves’ future is not quite ready for prime time.
Watch: Fredi Gonzalez on decision to option @Braves #1 prospect Jose Peraza to @GwinnettBraves http://t.co/9zEcAcz9cH pic.twitter.com/SlFfPTJeST
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 17, 2015
The Atlanta Braves spent their offseason in rebuilding mode, strengthening their once elite farm system back to the top ranks. They brought in names like Mike Foltynewicz, Rio Ruiz and Max Fried via big trades that shot their farm system all the way up to a Top 10 ranking. Their brightest star, however, was a Braves’ hold over and it appears that he still needs some seasoning.
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Jose Peraza is the Braves’ No. 1 prospect and in the Top 50 of Grading on the Curve’s overall list of baseball’s brightest. The 20-year old second baseman had a career year in 2014, his fourth professional season, giving the Braves hope that he could possibly be ready as soon as Opening Day. A rough spring changed those opinions.
Signed out of Venezuela before the 2011 season, Peraza has climbed the Braves’ minor league ladder with remarkable consistency, improving each and every season. Last year, between two levels, Peraza showed what he has become to known for: great contact and blazing speed.
Home runs will come sparingly for the future second baseman, but he slashed an impressive .339/.364/.441 line between High-A and Double-A while stealing 60 bases in 75 attempts and scoring 79 runs in 110 games. He earned Mid-Season All Star honors at High-A Lynchburg and was invited to his first MLB Future’s Game. It earned him a slot on the Braves’ 40-man roster and an invite to spring training.
Spring Training did not go well at all for the youngster. He went 1-for-16 over 9 games and struck out four times. On the bright side, he made no errors at second base in 20 chances while turning four double plays. While he and sharp-fielding shortstop Andrelton Simmons will soon form a deadly double play combo, that bat simply doesn’t appear ready for big league pitching.
Peraza will likely get a full season at Triple-A with the chances of a September call-up very high. They may turn to former Padres’ first round pick, 24-year old Jace Peterson who was acquired from San Diego in the Justin Upton trade to start at second base. They signed veteran Alberto Callaspo to a $3-million deal this offseason as an insurance policy and still have Phil Gosselin on the roster who made a nice, albeit limited, 2014 debut for the Braves.
The skeptics will say that the Braves’ don’t have much to play for this season, so give the kid a chance. The baseball purists will argue that Peraza should have everyday playing time in Gwinnett to hone his skills and be ready for 2016, when the Braves could actually be competitive again if some of their offseason moves fall into place. It is a tough call, but with Peraza still just 20 years of age, it seems like they have time to prepare for the day that he can take over and be the full-time starting second baseman.
Joining Peraza amongst the first cuts in Spring Training is their No. 10 prospect, pitcher Tyrell Jenkins, Mauricio Cabrera, Yean Carlos Gil, Brady Feigl and Jose Yepez.
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