Cincinnati Reds: José Peraza notches two hits in minor league assignment

When Joey Votto returned to the Cincinnati Reds, the team optioned José Peraza to Triple-A Louisville. Playing second base last night, Peraza got two hits.

The Cincinnati Reds optioned José Peraza to Triple-A Louisville earlier this week. The Reds infielder was struggling this season with a .237 batting average. Peraza’s first action with the Bats was productive one, as he went 2-for-4 with a double in a 2-0 loss on the road to the Toledo Mud Hens.

Peraza lost his starting spot at shortstop to José Iglesias after Scooter Gennett went down with a groin injury near the end of Spring Training. However, Peraza took over for Gennett at second base, a position he’d played previously. Unfortunately for Peraza, Derek Dietrich and later Josh VanMeter outplayed the 25-year-old and Peraza was relegated to a bench role.

What the future holds for Peraza is unclear. At one time, it looked as though he was going to become the heir apparent to Zack Cozart and take over as the Reds shortstop of the future. Last season, Peraza led the team in hits (182) and had a career-high in home run (14) and RBIs (58).

This season, however, has clouded Peraza’s future with the team. He’ll likely return to majors later next week when he’s eligible. Once sent down, players must remain for a minimum of 10 days. Provided he’s recalled before 20 days expire, Peraza will maintain his final minor league option. The earliest Peraza can rejoin the club is September 6th.

I still hold out hope that José Peraza can be a successful major league player, but it may not be for the Cincinnati Reds. The front office made the shrewd acquisition of Freddy Galvis a few weeks ago, and many fans would love to the team retain Iglesias, who becomes a free agent after the season.

Second base is another option for Peraza, but the recent play of Josh VanMeter gives the Reds rookie a leg up in that area. Depending on how Dick Williams and Nick Krall handle Iglesias’ contract situation this offseason will have a ripple effect throughout the Reds clubhouse.

For now, it’s nice to see Peraza get off to a nice start with the Louisville Bats. The Cincinnati Reds Triple-A affiliate wraps up their road trip tonight against Toledo before returning home to finish out their 20th season at Louisville Slugger Field. Peraza will likely be back in the lineup tonight.