While, with all their new faces, I think the Atlanta Braves will struggle some this season, I hope they do not resort to trading away some of their top prospects.
One of those prospects is 20-year-old second baseman Jose Peraza, who is currently having a good early season with the Class AA Greenville South Carolina Braves.
The Braves signed Peraza, who turns 21 on April 30, for a $350,000 signing bonus out of Venezuela in 2010. His biggest asset is his speed.
He stole 60 bases in 75 attempts last season and is 178-for-220 in steal attempts during his minor league career. He is batting .304 for Greeneville this season.
I saw a rumor this week that the New York Yankees are interested in trading for Peraza. I personally hope the Braves don’t trade him. He is being groomed to be their next second baseman and he is just too valuable.
It is rumored that the Yankees are willing to offer two prospects for Peraza. One of those prospects is reported to be catcher Gary Sanchez, who is batting .270 with the Trenton New Jersey Thunder. He is 22-years-old and is from the Dominican Republic.
The Braves are already solid behind the plate with young catcher Christian Bettencourt. Sanchez is also a top prospect, but I don’t think they need to trade their second baseman of the future for him.
As a Braves fan, I look forward to shortstop Andrelton Simmons and Peraza, who are both outstanding fielders, turn many double plays for the Braves in the future. It could have the potential of being the top double play combination in the major leagues. I don’t understand why the Braves are even considering such a move.