Oswald Peraza

Peraza climbed from High-A to Triple-A last season, with his production trending down against better competition (144 wRC+ at High-A, 122 wRC+ at Double-A, 90 wRC+ in a tiny sample at Triple-A). Considering he turns 22 in June, just the fact that he made it to Triple-A last season is an accomplishment. Peraza came into the year known mostly as a strong defensive shortstop with a strong hit tool and plus speed, not unlike the prospect versions of guys like Amed Rosario, J.P. Crawford or Orlando Arcia. He showed there was a bit more juice in the bat, hitting 18 home runs with 26 doubles in 115 games. However, he didn't demonstrate the greatest eye or contact skill, tallying 111 strikeouts (21.7 K%) and just 37 walks (7.2 BB%) in 511 plate appearances. Those are fine metrics, but they didn't back up the idea that he will have a plus hit tool in the majors. He stole 38 bases on 48 attempts and graded out as an above-average runner at 5-foot-11, 186 pounds. While org. mate Anthony Volpe looks the part of a future No. 1 or No. 2 hitter, Peraza looks more like a future bottom third of the order hitter, albeit one who plays every day and challenges for 15/15 seasons.

A shortstop with the potential for a plus hit tool and plus speed, Peraza was protected from the Rule 5 draft by being added to the Yankees' 40-man roster this offseason. He won't turn 21 until June and has not played above Low-A, so this roster move will put a little pressure on the player and the team to speed up his ascent slightly. Unfortunately, he did not get invited to the alternate training site due to his lack of upper-level experience. Peraza is a no-doubt shortstop thanks to a plus glove and plus arm, which will buy him a longer leash to develop at the plate. He could be a Tommy Edman/Andres Gimenez type of fantasy contributor in time, and that 20-steal potential will remain his top fantasy skill for the foreseeable future. The Yankees have worked on trying to coax a little more power from the 6-foot, 180-pound right-handed hitter, but he probably won't be a 20-homer hitter in the majors.