Oswald Peraza sat out Monday’s spring training game with shoulder tightness, leading Keith to wonder what the plan is for the former hyped prospect in 2024.
Peraza once was hyped as a future middle infield mainstay in the Bronx, even being considered a reason why the Yanks didn’t go after big-name free agents like Corey Seager and Carlos Correa in recent years. But now, the 23-year-old has a cloudy role after posting a lowly .605 OPS in 70 career games since making his debut in 2022.
“This is a guy the Yankees had playing shortstop in the ALCS just two years ago,” Keith said. “This is a guy we know for a fact that they prospect hugged. We know for a fact that they passed up on guys – I guarantee you teams asked about Oswald Peraza and Cashman said no, because he didn’t know if Peraza or Volpe would be the shortstop of the future.
“What do we do here with Peraza? I think he’s first in line if there’s an injury in the infield…but Peraza has to bring his bat. We’ve been saying that for two years now. We need to see the kid hit like he did in Triple-A.”
At this point, Keith says Peraza is at risk of becoming the latest Yankee prospect to flame out after having the potential to be the centerpiece in a trade for established big-league talent, joining the likes of Miguel Andujar, Clint Frazier, and others.
“Did Cashman prospect hug a guy for too long that he doesn’t have the value he once did on the trade market?” Keith wondered.
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