Oswald Peraza -- Prospect Evaluation

Oswald Peraza, 22, is positioned to graduate from prospect status and make the Yankees' opening day roster this spring. The shortstop demonstrated his readiness during a September callup, batting .306 with a .404 on-base percentage across 18 games and earning a start in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series.

Peraza's rapid progression through the minor leagues accelerated last season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he hit 19 home runs while significantly improving his approach at the plate. Yankees hitting coordinator Joe Migliaccio attributed this improvement to Peraza's own work ethic, noting he invested considerable time game-planning and studying opposing pitchers' tendencies to identify opportunities to attack mistakes.

Migliaccio emphasized that Peraza's big league performance featured "some of the best swing decisions of his career," showcasing improved pitch recognition and selectivity. As a plus defender with versatility at both shortstop and second base, Peraza checks all boxes for the organization. The team has expressed complete confidence that Peraza will emerge as a consistent MLB producer capable of double-digit home runs and doubles while maintaining strong contact rates as he gains big league experience.

Oswald Peraza is the Yankees' crown jewel prospect from their 2016 international free agent class. The shortstop signed for $175,000 out of Venezuela and debuted in the Gulf Coast League at age 17 in 2017. At age 21 in 2021, Peraza reached Triple-A while performing significantly above the average player age at each level, demonstrating rapid organizational progression after being added to the 40-man roster following the 2020 season.

Peraza's 2021 season established personal bests across multiple offensive metrics: .297 batting average with an .834 OPS, 18 home runs, 26 doubles, and 38 stolen bases across 115 games spanning High-A Hudson Valley, Double-A Somerset, and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Scouts attribute this breakout performance to a refined approach where Peraza shifted from one of baseball's highest ground ball rates in 2019 to a middle-of-the-pack rate in 2021, combining improved ball elevation with hard contact. FanGraphs specifically notes his exceptional pitch tracking ability and 'special feel for impacting the bottom half of the baseball.'

Defensively, Peraza is widely regarded as a plus shortstop with potential positional versatility. Keith Law characterizes him as 'perhaps the best defensive shortstop in the strong Yankees' system' with the arm and hands to potentially transition to third base. Baseball America and ESPN both recognize his plus defensive abilities, crediting his speed, instincts, and reaction times despite acknowledging he is not the most athletic player. With an expected major league ETA of 2022/2023, Peraza is projected to compete for an infield position with the Yankees in the near term.

Oswald Peraza is a Venezuelan-born prospect who made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees on September 2, 2022. At 6'0" and 200 pounds, the right-handed batter and thrower has demonstrated solid offensive production with a .278 batting average, .340 on-base percentage, and .454 slugging percentage across 97 at-bats. Peraza was consistently ranked as a top prospect within the Yankees organization, reaching as high as the #2 prospect ranking in both 2022 and 2023, while also being ranked #62 by Baseball America in 2023. Earlier in his development, he was recognized as the best infield arm prospect in the Yankees system in 2020 and was included in top prospect lists for various minor leagues including the South Atlantic League (#6 in 2021) and Florida Complex League (#14 in 2017). His career transactions indicate significant roster movement, including a trade to the Los Angeles Angels and subsequent reacquisition by the Yankees, along with multiple assignments to their Triple-A affiliate Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Multiple scouting reports have been compiled on Peraza from February 2020 through February 2023, documenting his development as a prospect.

Oswald Peraza is a 21-year-old shortstop prospect in the New York Yankees organization ranked 8th in the system with a 50 OFP. Standing 6-0 and weighing 176 lbs, Peraza has a smaller frame than some peers but possesses considerable projection potential remaining. Evaluator Tyler Jennings notes Peraza is becoming one of the better infield bats in the Yankees system with a contact-oriented approach.

Peraza's hitting mechanics feature hands positioned just below the ears triggered by a subtle leg kick, a closed stance with slight crouch, and a relatively smooth swing. He demonstrates great bat-to-ball skills, strike zone control, and primarily produces line drives using all fields with a pull-side tendency. Jennings grades his hit tool at 60, noting he has the makings of a future plus hitter from the right side.

Defensively, Peraza is a plus shortstop with very good instincts, smooth actions, excellent awareness, and a strong accurate arm graded at 55. He has cleaned up errors as he progressed through the system and is likely to stick at shortstop long-term. His power is graded at 45, with exit velocities averaging 87 MPH and peaking at 110 MPH. While his small frame has limited power production, scouts project fringe-average power (approximately 15 home runs annually) if he can add more loft to his swing.

Oswald Peraza is a Yankees shortstop prospect who has flown under the radar despite possessing some of the organization's more solid two-way talent at the position. Signed from Venezuela in July 2016, Peraza was considered an advanced hitter at the time of signing and retains that designation among team insiders, though his statistical production has not yet reflected this evaluation. In 2018 at short-season Pulaski, he hit .250 with just six extra-base hits.

Physically, Peraza has made significant strides since signing. Listed at 6'0" and 175 pounds, he was extremely skinny when he first joined the organization and has spent considerable time in the weight room. He has added a solid 20 pounds and shows marked improvement in bat speed and barrel contact. While critics fairly point out his below-average power, scouts note the ball is coming off his bat better than ever, suggesting continued development.

Long-term power projection for Peraza sits slightly below average, though his projectable frame leaves room for additional strength development. The combination of his advanced hitting approach, defensive capabilities at shortstop, and ongoing physical development positions him as a prospect worthy of closer attention despite current statistical output.