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Rhythmic adjustments have Peraza thriving
- Updated: September 16, 2016
CINCINNATI — The mystique of young players that succeed quickly in the Major Leagues makes them seem like they’re overnight sensations who burst on the scene. But 22-year-old Reds infielder/outfielder Jose Peraza has already been putting in work for years to avoid simply being a flavor of the month.
In 2011, Peraza joined the Braves’ organization as a 16-year-old. Reds hitting coach Don Long was Atlanta’s Minor League hitting coordinator from 2011-13.
“I always felt about him that he was always the youngest player pretty much in whatever league he played in. And he was always one of the better players,” Long said. “I think he’s got a natural confidence in himself when he plays baseball that he knows he can compete and play the game. That’s a trait of his I’ve seen the last six years.”
Peraza entered Friday batting .324/.350/.410 with two home runs, seven doubles, 18 RBIs and 15 steals. His biggest surge has come after his Aug. 20 promotion, when he got regular playing time at either shortstop or center field because of injuries to Zack Cozart and Billy Hamilton.
Since then, Peraza is batting a National League best .400 (34-for-85). In his two previous callups, he played sparingly — especially for a six-week stretch in the big leagues …
