Over the past two seasons, Braves elite prospect Jose Peraza changed positions twice, moved down a spot in the batting order and saw the level of competition rise.
But Peraza’s production hasn’t faltered.
With Gold Glove-winning shortstop Andrelton Simmons under contract with the Braves until 2020, last year Peraza moved from shortstop to second base. He went from high Single-A to Double-A by the end of the season.
Then less than three weeks ago, Peraza made his first start in center field because of the emergence of second baseman Jace Peterson in Atlanta. While Peraza worked out in center during spring training, he’s learning the position on the fly, said Brian Snitker, manager of the Triple-A Gwinnett Braves. Already, Peraza’s route running has improved.
“He’s getting better by the game,” Snitker said. “He still has a lot of things to work on. He’s far from a finished product.”
The defensive transition isn’t the only challenge Peraza faces. At the lower levels, Peraza saw a steady diet of fastballs, but in Triple-A he sees more nuanced pitchers with off-speed pitches. On Wednesday, Peraza even faced a knuckleballer, Norfolk Tides right-hander Eddie Gamboa.
After batting leadoff last season, Peraza has moved to the No. 2 spot. Through all the changes, Peraza has remained consistent at the plate. As of Thursday, he was batting .282 with a .323 on-base percentage.
“He’s able to hit the ball to all fields,” said Gwinnett hitting coach John Moses, who coached Peraza at the Braves’ Double-A affiliate last season. “We’ve been working on some things in his approach and with his hands. He’s going be a pure hitter. I think he’s got surprising power, and I think as he gets older that power is going to show.”
Peraza’s power hasn’t manifested itself in Triple-A yet; he’s slugging .354 after he compiled a .441 slugging percentage last summer. But through an interpreter, catcher Jose Yepez, Peraza said the defensive switch to center hasn’t affected him at the plate.
“When you are put into a different position you have to learn a lot of different things and a lot of that rolls into your mind throughout a whole ballgame and even prior to the game,” Moses said. “But I think he’s a good enough athlete to overcome all that.”
Peraza feels more comfortable at second base and said the transition to center field is harder than the move to second base. But the change didn’t blindside Peraza. He was told during spring training that he might play center this season, Peraza said.
On May 27, Peraza started in center, his first official appearance at the position. Since then, he’s split time between second and center. Perez started at second Wednesday, and he likely will play in center over the next few games, Snitker said.
“With his speed he profiles as a center fielder more than a big, hairy power-hitting guy on a corner,” Snitker said. “He profiles as a center fielder and has the athleticism to probably execute that.”
As a former shortstop, Peraza has the arm strength to play center, but if he starts playing the position full-time he’ll have to adjust his throwing motion. Peraza still throws from an middle-infielder arm slot. But the Braves haven’t tried to tinker with his mechanics yet since he’s still spending time at second.
“He’s made a couple of really nice throws,” Snitker said. “That’s not going to be a big deal.”
Away from the field Peraza lives with Yepez, who interprets the coaches’ instructions for Peraza. But Peraza’s English is improving. He answered a question about his defensive preference Wednesday in English.
Improving his English is one more challenge Peraza faces. But he’s taken all the changes in stride. While his transition to center field is far from complete, he doesn’t appear flustered by the new set of circumstances.
After seeing him adapt to other situations, the Gwinnett coaching staff believes he can make the adjustment.
“He’ll make that transition pretty easy,” Moses said. “He’s done a great job thus far, and we’re happy with his results thus far. Hopefully he continues in the right direction.”
