Reds pondering future spot for red-hot Peraza

CINCINNATI — There’s a common belief in Major League Baseball that if a player can really hit but doesn’t have a set position to play, a team will find room for him in its lineup one way or another. Injuries to regulars Zack Cozart and Billy Hamilton have been one way to get Jose Peraza daily at-bats.

Next season, the Reds will have to figure out another way. That’s because Peraza, at 22, is demonstrating daily that he can handle whatever big league pitchers have to offer. In Wednesday’s 6-3 loss to the Mets, Peraza collected another four hits — including a bases-loaded two-out double in the eighth inning — as he filled in for a resting Cozart at shortstop.

In 17 games since he was recalled from Triple-A Louisville on Aug. 20, Peraza is batting .484 (30-for-62) with 10 multihit efforts and three four-hit games — his career high. Overall in his 50 big league games for Cincinnati, Peraza is batting .347/.376/.427 with two home runs, six doubles and 16 RBIs.

“This guy certainly looks like he’s capable of being a regular, everyday player,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “Now it’s just a matter of finding his best spot and where he best serves the team. He can …

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