TAMPA—There's been a buzz for months about Braves prospect Jose Peraza.
Manager Fredi Gonzalez added to it early in spring camp when he called the 20-year old infielder “special.” Gonzalez said he and his coaches researched great players who debuted in the majors at the same age or younger while debating if Peraza is ready.
But Peraza has scuffled so far in spring training games and Gonzalez said that’s no surprise. He said young prospects in the spotlight tend to feel the pressure to perform when they get to big-league camp with high expectations.
“It’s like any guy whose name has been out there for four months,” Gonzalez said before imitating a nervous batter. “But he’ll be better off next time. It will be somebody else’s turn (for the attention).”
In six spring games Peraza is 0-for-12 with four strikeouts and no walks. He wasn’t in the lineup for Thursday’s night game against the Yankees after not playing Tuesday or Wednesday.
Peraza, 20, is the top-rated prospect in the Braves’ organization but has played only 44 games above the Single-A level. Last season Peraza hit .339 with a .364 on-base percentage and 60 stolen bases in 110 games between high Single-A Lynchburg and Double-A Mississippi.
Peraza made the switch from shortstop to second base last year and the Braves recently started working him in centerfield. They have no plans to switch his position again but want him to be more versatile in case the big-league club has room at another position before second base.
