At the 2015 trade deadline the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a three-team trade with Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins to acquire pitchers Luis Avilan, Jim Johnson Mat Latos and Alex Wood.
Also included in the deal was a top prospect in 21-year-old second baseman Jose Peraza.
Many believe Peraza will pair up with fellow 21-year-old Corey Seager and be the organization’s middle infield of the future.
Although the duo started just two September games together with the Dodgers, fans got an early look at Peraza in August.
The fleet-footed infielder made his Major League debut on Aug. 10, going 1-for-4 with a triple and walk against the Washington Nationals.
He became just the third Dodger ever to have his first Major League hit be a triple. Peraza played one more game on Aug. 12, going 0-for-2, before being sent back down to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
He was recalled on Aug. 29 and played in five games before going down with a hamstring injury that ended his season. In seven total games, he went 4-for-22 with three stolen bases.
As for Peraza’s Minor League action in 2015, he played a combined 118 games, batting .293/.316/.378 with four home runs, 42 RBIs, 63 runs and 33 stolen bases.
Peraza hit .289/.304/.378 and stole seven bases in 22 games with the OKC Dodgers.
2015 Highlight
Peraza’s best game with the Dodgers came on Aug. 29 when he went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs, two stolen bases and an RBI in a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs.
2016 Outlook
With Howie Kendrick declining the Dodgers’ qualifying offer and becoming a free agent, the second base position is currently unsettled.
Given his young age and inexperience at the Major League level, Peraza isn’t a frontrunner to take over at second. He is however, receiving consideration, team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said.
Should Peraza not be needed to start at second base, he may open the 2016 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City. That being said, considering how often the Dodgers maneuver players on their 40-man roster, he should see an expanded role with the club.