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MLB: 10 prospects ready to play in the big leagues

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (76) at bat against the Detroit Tigers at a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa (76) at bat against the Detroit Tigers at a spring training baseball game at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 5, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves infielder Jose Peraza (70) takes infield before the start of the spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2015; Lakeland, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves infielder Jose Peraza (70) takes infield before the start of the spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 17. . 2nd Base/Outfield. Atlanta Braves. Jose Peraza. 6

The Atlanta Braves are in full rebuilding mode, and that means there are some exciting prospects in the system. The team’s top prospect according to both MLB.com and Baseball America is second baseman Jose Peraza.

Despite hitting in the two-hole much of this season, the right-handed hitting Peraza projects as an ideal leadoff man: something the Braves haven’t had (outside of Michael Bourn in 2012) since Rafael Furcal manned shortstop at Turner Field.

In five pro seasons, the 21-year old Peraza has compiled a .304/.349/.389 slash with 191 stolen bases in 387 – often as one of the youngest players in his league. Through 44 games in 2015, Peraza is hitting .293/.333/.379 with two home runs, 18 RBI and 14 stolen bases in 15 attempts for Triple-A Gwinnett.

The feeling around the organization is that the Braves really like Jace Peterson, and the 25-year old could be the second baseman of the future as well as the present in Atlanta. That means Peraza will need to change positions.

Shortstop isn’t an option since Andrelton Simmons is the best defensive shortstop on the planet and he’s signed to a long-term deal through 2020. Peraza doesn’t profile as a third baseman because of his lack of power (the same is true of Peterson), but he could play there in spurts when necessary. However, the most likely spot he’ll land is the outfield.

With this in mind, the Braves have played Peraza in center field recently. The Atlanta outfield is far from stacked. Nick Markakis is solid in right field and Cameron Maybin has shown flashes of the potential that once made him a top prospect, but it’s unlikely that Jonny Gomes, Todd Cunningham, Kelly Johnson, Eric Young, Jr. or Joey Terdoslavich are the long-term answer in left.

Also, among the top position prospects in the Braves farm system, Braxton Davidson is just 18 years old and playing in Single-A, and while Mallex Smith is hitting .340/.395/.415 with Double-A Mississippi, the 22-year old doesn’t project as an everyday starter.

Therefore, it’s very possible Peraza will be in the outfield in the big leagues – and though the 21-year old career infielder has made just three appearances in center in five pro seasons, he could be there sooner rather than later.

Next: Francisco Lindor

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