Cincinnati Reds name Jose Peraza starting second baseman to replace Brandon Phillips to start 2017

The Cincinnati Reds traded Brandon Phillips to make a starting spot for utility man Jose Peraza to start 2017.

When the Cincinnati Reds traded away Brandon Phillips, they knew that Jose Peraza would be the starting second baseman.  Phillips was the second best player to play second base in Reds’ history, but his time to move on had come.  His time had come because the Reds had to find a way to let Peraza play everyday to start the season.

Reds’ fans know Peraza as the potential replacement for Zack Cozart and the return for Todd Frazier, but he can be something else entirely.  The Los Angeles Dodgers saw him a shortstop blocked at the big league level by Corey Seager.  Now the Reds have to create a role for Peraza that is worth his talent.

Coming up through the minors Peraza was an elite base stealer and an average defensive shortstop.  He projects to steal about 50 bases as an everyday starter.  Last year, however like many of the Reds, Peraza had trouble successfully going from first to third and second to home.

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Perhaps more importantly, Peraza was a sub-average defender at every position he played aside from second base.  He graded out as just above average at second base, but below average at shortstop, left field, and center field.  That raises the question if he is the answer at shortstop when the Reds invariably trade Cozart away mid-season.

Jose Peraza has the offensive upside to bat clean-up initially for the Cincinnati Reds, if Billy Hamilton can hold down the lead-off position.

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Peraza’s worst numbers coming up through the minors was batting .281 with a .304 OBP, but his best was batting .342 with a .365  OBP.  HIs biggest issue offensively is his lack of power.  Peraza pounds the ball into the ground, reducing his power output.

He consistently gets on base and consistently hits for average.  He projects to strikeout about 80 times per season at the big league level.  Lots of times you want a power hitter batting clean-up, but this Reds team has shied away from their power core.

With the unorthodox number three hitter in Joey Votto, batting Peraza clean-up makes sense.  The Reds need to keep the on base pressure on the opposition.  With Hamilton batting lead-off and Suarez batting second the Reds are set-up to make the opposing pitchers throw a ton of strikes.

The Reds have several weak OBP players in left fielder Adam Duvall, catcher Devin Mesoraco, and shortstop Zack Cozart.  Keeping them in the bottom of the order and Peraza next to Votto can only help the offense.  Suarez may end up batting fourth with Peraza second, but Peraza has the higher offensive upside.

Next: Devin Mesoraco is ruled out for Opening Day

Reds’ fans don’t want to watch Phillips play in another uniform this season.  Watching Peraza play second base and bat in the top half of the order will make it easier.  The Reds are finally close to competing.  Peraza will be key to the change whether as a starter or a key bench player.  How he goes, so goes the Reds.