MLB Insider 'Basically Heard' Oswald Peraza Will be Yankees Opening Day Shortstop
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The Yankees currently have a heated competition going on at the shortstop position in Spring Training.
New York has Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Oswald Peraza, Anthony Volpe and Oswaldo Cabrera fighting for the starting shortstop job. While Kiner-Falefa was the starter last year, Volpe and Peraza are top prospects that are considered to be the Yankees' middle infield of the future.
Peraza got his first 21 big-league games (including the postseason) under his belt last season. Although he is dealing with lower leg soreness, it is not considered to be serious, and it sounds like he has the edge in the competition at the moment.
According to ESPN's Buster Olney:
“Spending two days with the Yankees over the weekend on Friday and Saturday," Olney said on the "Baseball Tonight" podcast, "I walked away basically having heard that Peraza is going to be the shortstop – unless something completely unforeseen happens – with IKF potentially being on the bench at the start of the year. Maybe some team steps up and makes a trade for (Kiner-Falefa), and Volpe probably will start in the minor leagues.”
Volpe has made an impact with both his bat and glove so far in Grapefruit League play. However, he only played 22 games at the Triple-A level, which is why he is likely to start the season in the minor leagues.
As for Kiner-Falefa, he could still possibly be traded to another team by Opening Day.
Cabrera will likely be used as a super utility man given his versatility and ability to play the outfield.
Peraza batted .306 with a .833 OPS in 18 regular season games with the Yankees. He is projected to be the better defensive option at short, which could push Volpe to second base in the long-term.
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