Well, New York Yankees fans, there may finally be an answer for the trade deadline debacle. Everson Pereira is coming … or supposedly will be called up this season.
Andy Martino reported that part of the reason for a stagnant deadline was the club’s plan to promote one of their top prospects. Pereira has bashed 15 home runs this season and stolen seven bases in Double-A and Triple-A combined.
Part of why the Yankees didn't trade for a leftfielder is because the team is expected to promote #4 prospect Everson Pereira at some point this season, per @martinonyc
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) August 8, 2023
Pereira is hitting .309 with a .925 OPS, 15 home runs and 56 RBI in 70 games across AA/AAA this season pic.twitter.com/Ehm763gY0I
Why New York Yankees fans should be excited about Everson Pereira
Fans have long demonized the dreaded prospect-hugging ways of the franchise, but this one should end differently (stop me if you have heard this before). Gone are the days of the Baby Bombers with Clint Frazier, Gary Sanchez, and Miguel Andujar, although Gleyber Torres and Aaron Judge have turned out just fine. Now, fans will suffer through endless nights of Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Jake Bauers, and Billy McKinney patrolling left field until Pereira makes his grand entrance.
If you are a fan of the Yankees, chances are you have heard of Everson Pereira at some point recently, as he has been a famous prospect since signing for $1.5 million in 2017. FanGraphs ranked Pereira as the fourth-best prospect in a loaded Yankees’ system before the season, pointing to his huge power as the main carrying tool.
Of course, there is risk associated with Pereira, as he routinely runs strikeout rates above 25 percent. Coupled with a 3.6 percent walk rate in 25 Triple-A games, and fans could begin to worry about the efficacy of a Pereira call-up. On the contrary, could he produce worse results than a limping Yankees’ offense currently is?
The upside here is a potentially above-average hitter with solid defense to boot. Pereira would give the Yankees’ a consistent name to pencil in the left field spot, something the club has been searching for over the last few seasons. Heck, Aaron Hicks still has the most starts in left field since the beginning of 2022.
Pereira should be able to fill in for Aaron Judge in addition to taking the reins in left field. With his speed and throwing arm, Pereira can also play center field in a pinch. This is music to fans’ ears, as navigating Judge’s toe injury has been tricky since his return. Entering play on Wednesday, the Yankees are 4.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot, but maybe Pereira will bring some wins with him from Scranton.