The new trend in baseball seems to be having youthful talent at the shortstop position. The World Series champion Houston Astros had that in Jeremy Peña, and so did the Philadelphia Phillies with Bryson Stott. The Yankees built a dynasty in the 90s with a then-youthful shortstop named Derek Jeter. This past season, the Yankees called up top shortstop prospect Oswald Peraza. Peraza appeared in 18 games and proved right away that he belonged and even played in the ALCS. I believe it’s time to let Oswald Peraza be the starting shortstop for the Yankees in 2023.
Despite losing a season of development in 2020 due to COVID-19, Oswald Peraza rocketed up the Yankees minor league system in just five years. He even reached AAA at just 21 years old. Heading into the 2022 season, Peraza was ranked as a top three prospect in the Yankees organization behind Jasson Dominguez and Anthony Volpe. Before getting called to the Bronx, Peraza was slashing .359/.329/.448 in 386 at-bats with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Rail Riders.
In 18 games and 49 at-bats for the Yankees, Peraza had a slash line of .306/.404/.429 to go along with a home run and two RBI. He also played 12 games at shortstop and made four appearances playing second base. In those 18 games, he didn’t commit an error on 33 chances.
The incumbent at shortstop is Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Kiner-Falefa is really a third baseman, but the Yankees put him at shortstop after he came over in a trade with the Twins. This season, he committed 17 errors. Only Javier Baez, Jeremy Peña, Bobby Witt Jr., and Bo Bichette committed more fielding mishaps in the AL.
Although he did save ten defensive runs for the Yankees, Kiner-Falefa has a weak throwing arm. This was evident all season long, and it came back to haunt the Yankees in Game 3 of their ALDS matchup. He practically let the Guardians almost eliminate the Yankees when he couldn’t get the ball to first base fast enough. Some of the time this season and in the postseason, he couldn’t get over in time to batted balls.
Something else that Peraza brings that Kiner-Falefa doesn’t is “pop” at the plate. Kiner-Falefa only slashed .261/.314/.327 in 483 at-bats. He also has no power, as he only hit four home runs and 48 RBI. His OPS was below average at .642. While he does have speed, as he finished 2022 with 22 stolen bases, there is a better alternative in Peraza.
Oswald Peraza brings everything that the Yankees need at shortstop. Defensively he has a strong throwing arm, and his fielding improved every year in the minor leagues. He also has the range to play the position, which I don’t think Kiner-Falefa can provide.
Offensively, Peraza brings everything to the lineup that Isiah Kiner-Falefa can’t. He hits for power and can also be a big RBI threat. Across five seasons in all levels of the Yankees system, he hit 43 home runs, 175 RBI, and had an OPS of .761. He also stole 115 bases, getting caught only 25 times.
These days to have a chance at a World Series ring, there needs to be youthful energy in the clubhouse. The Astros and Phillies had that with Jeremy Peña and Bryson Stott, respectively. When the Yankees won their first of four rings in the 90s, they had a youthful energy coming from a young Derek Jeter. With the amount of upside that Oswald Peraza brings both offensively and defensively, the Yankees finally have someone who has the potential to be a cornerstone player for years to come.
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