Jose Peraza Leaves Gwinnett Braves Game…Why??

The Atlanta Braves top prospect, Jose Peraza, exited Thursday evenings game in the 9th inning.  He came out of the game after singling in a game where the Gwinnett Braves, the Triple-A affiliate, were defeated 4-1.

He was replaced by a pinch runner at first base because of a minor leg ailment.  This was probably just the Gwinnett team officials playing the safe card because of one, it was late in the game and two, he’s the top prospect and any little ailment you don’t want to make worse.

The speculation of Peraza joining the Atlanta Braves was pretty much shot down quickly by Braves officials.  They told reports this a precautionary move.

Peraza is currently hitting .361 in the 2015 season with three triples, two doubles, 12 RBIs, 16 runs and 14 stolen bases.

The 21-year-old is currently playing second base for Gwinnett, but has mostly played shortstop as he progressed through the minors.  With Andrelton Simmons at shortstop, he had to slide over to second base.  Now with Jace Peterson emerging, the Braves tried Peraza in centerfield during practice, but reports are out that he looked lost in the outfield and didn’t look natural there.

Mark Bowman talked to Braves officials about the injury.

"Multiple Braves officials chose not to provide specifics regarding the ailment. But each of these individuals made it clear that they did not believe the 20-year-old second baseman would miss more than a game or two."

Baseball America ranked Peraza as their #54 rated prospect in 2015.  MLB.com has him as the #38 rated prospect.  And Baseball Prospectus has Peraza as their #92 rated prospect.

The Braves invited him to Spring Training in 2015, but he didn’t hit well at the plate.  Many believed he was under way too much pressure being the top prospect and the second base position up for battle.

After not playing above the Double-A level, the Braves decided to send him to Triple-A Gwinnett to start of the season.  He started off slow in 2015, but has caught fire since.  He’s Gwinnett’s regular second baseman and hits second in the lineup.

Here is Fredi Gonzalez speaking about Peraza after they sent him down to Gwinnett.