KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Top prospect Jose Peraza was among six players dropped from the Braves’ spring-training roster in the latest round of cuts announced Monday.
Peraza was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett, while right-handed pitching prospect Tyrell Jenkins was optioned to Double-A Mississippi, and right-hander Mauricio Cabrera and left-hander Yean Carlos Gil were optioned to high Single-A Carolina. Lefty Brady Feigl and catcher Jose Yepez were reassigned to minor league camp.
Peraza, 20, came to spring training with what Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez characterized as an outside chance to make the opening-day roster as the starting second baseman, despite his age (20) and only 195 plate appearances above the Single-A level. But it quickly became apparent the Braves wouldn’t rush him and planned to have the converted shortstop get more time in the minor leagues this season.
He went 1-for-16 with four strikeouts in nine spring-training games, and the Braves have had Peraza work out in center field in the past two weeks to add some versatility in case they have a need elsewhere sooner than second base.
“We sent him down because we need to see some of the other guys,” Gonzalez said of Monday’s move. “But I told him just to go out, keep playing, keep preparing. He’s going to go play a little bit of center field in the minor leagues, play a little bit of shortstop, just give us an opportunity where if something happens at any of those three positions he’s going to come up and help us. This guy’s a player.
“He’s not ready right now, but he could be ready in a month, he could be ready in two weeks, he could be ready two months down the road. That’s how good he is for me.”
Gonzalez said all the publicity that Peraza received before spring training probably affected him. It was written repeatedly that he was the second baseman and leadoff man of the future, and that it was possible that future could be now or very soon. Braves officials didn’t do anything to temper those expectations during the winter.
“I’ve seen it so much,” Gonzalez said. “Guys, believe it or not, they read. (Infield prospect Daniel) Castro’s name has never been mentioned, and he went out and had a great spring training. Peraza’s name was mentioned in almost every article and he’s got the white knuckles going in his at-bats and he’s feeling it. And you know what, next year Peraza will be better off for it, and Castro will be in the mix somewhere next year and he’s going to go through it.
“We’ve seen it in a lot of different people. It’s all natural, it’s all part of it, but this young man has a big future for us.”
Jenkins, a highly regarded prospect acquired along with starting pitcher Shelby Miller in the November trade for Jason Heyward, impressed Braves officials with his work habits and talent during the past four weeks. He pitched four innings in two relief appearances and allowed four hits, two runs and one walk with three strikeouts.
“I think Jenkins really has a high ceiling for us,” Gonzalez said. “He was impressive. The reports tell you the arm and the breaking pitches and the ceiling. But living with him for three weeks and you watch him, you watch his work ethic and the way he goes about his business, you’re more impressed with him.”
Cabrera pitched in two spring-training games and had command issues, allowing one hit, two runs and two walks with one strikeout in two innings. He also hit a batter. Gil pitched in one game and gave up one run on a homer.
Feigl, a non-roster invitee and former undrafted free agent, impressed Gonzalez and coaches enough that he could be considered for a callup if the Braves need another lefty reliever at some point. He made four appearances and allowed five hits and one run with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.
The Braves have 47 active players left in major league camp.
