This is the deepest area for the Braves when you look at the entire system. We shouldn't let the disappointing results of 2014 obscure that. Here is what I would expect from the internal candidates for second and short in 2015 if they were full-time players.
Simmons: .660 OPS and 3.5 WAR (basically I'm splitting the difference between his 2013 and 2014 seasons)
La Stella: .700 OPS and 1.5 WAR (good on base skills, but weak defensively)
Peraza: .660 and 2.0 WAR (less hitting but significantly better defense and baserunning than La Stella)
Gosselin: .660 and 1.5 WAR (significant BABIP regression likely but above average defense)
Pastornicky: .670 and 1.0 WAR (I think he is a slightly better hitter than Gosselin but an inferior defender)
Pena: .640 and 0 WAR (the definition of a replacement player)
Elmer Reyes: .640 and 0 WAR (similar to Pena but younger and a bit more upside, would benefit from more time in AAA)
We got very little at second this year and have the potential to net 1-2 WAR in 2015 compared to this year. Ditto for short if we get even a partial rebound by Simmons.
We see again that Peraza projects as the most productive player at second by a small margin over the alternatives. I think one of the keys to the 2015 season and hopefully many seasons after that is to understand how a player like Peraza works to lenghten your bench, even if he is an everyday player. We have had some of that with Prado and Infante, but I think Peraza could take it to a different level. Having Peraza start 2015 in AAA allows us to keep the starting players at second, third and center on a short leash. Give them a shot and move Peraza in if they falter. It allows us to take some chances on say CJ rebounding or La Stella figuring things out. It even allows us to try to mix and match with the third outfield spot for a month or so if payroll considerations so dictate.
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