Jose Peraza Becoming Top Player

Jose Peraza is just 24 years old but is in his third season with the Reds.

Signed by the Atlanta Braves as a 16-year old from Barinas, Venezuela.  The Reds are his third organization but no because no one values his ability, in fact the opposite is true.  The shortstop has the rare comibination of a quick bat, athleticism and astute defensive ability.

Peraza showed flashes of his ability at the plate the second half of 2016, hitting .324 in 72 games.  Last season playing second base, Peraza slumped to .259 in 143 games with five home runs and 37 RBI.

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In the last 31 games Peraza has a .317 batting average and a .368 on-base-percentage that include nine of his 17 walks on the season.  As the game with the Chicago White Sox begins, Peraza is hitting .274 with an on-base-percentage of .317 which is right at the Major League average.  Last season he was on base at a .297 clip, walking just 20 times the entire season.

Peraza says it is hard work that has been the difference.

"I feel good. I feel more relaxed," Peraza said.  "I just go to the cage, go through my routine, just working, working, working."

The working, working, working is paying off and the improvement in his game has been apparent the last month.

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As his ability to get on base increases, his stolen bases have started to accumulate.  Peraza has stolen six bases in the last month and been caught twice. He is one behind team leader Billy Hamilton.

Peraza has already matched his home run total from last season (5) and exceeded his extra base total with 21 as opposed to 18 last year.  His grand slam home run on Sunday capped the Reds' scoring in a 8-2 victory over Milwaukee.

All improvements trace back to being more selective as a hitter.

"He is getting a little more selective at the plate," Reds' manager Jim Riggleman said.  "He's not at the point where he walks a lot.  Really, that's the only thing about his game that when he really refines what he's taking and that on-base gets to .350 in a year or two, he will be a heck of a player.  He can put the bat on the ball.  He gets a lot of hits.  He plays fine defense.  He runs the bases well."

Sometimes his talent gets the best of him as he learns.

"Talented hitters as opposed of getting a good pitch to hit, see a pitch and say, 'I can hit that one'.  When he hits the ball it has a great sound.  It really jumps off the bat, more so in the gaps," Riggleman said.  "He's about 200 pounds.  He's a strong athlete."

Pitch selection helps to increase Peraza's power numbers.

"If you're swinging at bad pitches, those balls aren't going out of the ballpark," Riggleman said.  "The more he learns the strike zone and he's going to do that.  This guy is a tremendous worker.  This guy we have to tone him down.  This guy loves to play baseball.  His worst day is when we tell him to tale a day off.  He doesn't want any part of that."

Peraza is playing with more confidence.

"He knows he's our shortstop. Instead of trying to win the job, he's just playing," Riggleman said.