Jose Peraza started slowly this spring for the Cincinnati Reds. He was hitless in his first seven at-bats.
Peraza went on a tear after his slow start. He was 10-for-16 with four stolen bases over his next five games. The streak helped raise his batting average to .333 in 39 at-bats. His bat has helped his roster cause.
The 21-year-old Venezuelan has also helped his roster cause with his defensive versatility this spring. He has played shortstop, second base and center field.
The one position Peraza hasn’t played this spring is third base. He wasn’t expected to play third since he’s played just one inning at the position in Rookie League ball back in 2011.
But third base will factor into the Reds’ final roster decision. So far, outfielder Adam Duvall has shown he can be a passable primary backup to regular third baseman Eugenio Suarez.
Peraza will face his greatest roster competition from veteran Ivan De Jesus, Jr., who does have a limited history of playing third base. He played 70 innings at third last year for the Reds. Either Peraza or De Jesus would fill the Reds’ roster need for a backup middle infielder.
Peraza would be unlikely to backup center field since the Reds have a few candidates already lined up to do the job. If the Reds opt to keep outfielders Jake Cave, Yorman Rodriguez and Scott Schebler on the opening day roster, Peraza’s chance of making the team out of spring decrease.
The Reds could do worse than send Peraza to Triple-A to play everyday. He was first placed on a 40-man roster after the 2014 season. That provides the Reds with two more years of options for Peraza.
That way the Reds could let the centerpiece of the Todd Frazier trade continue to develop for his eventual role as a starter with the Reds.
Robb Hoff writes about the Cincinnati Reds for OutsidePitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
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