Originally Posted by
chop2chip
Notes on Peraza and Banuelos via Baseball Prospectus:
Jose Peraza, 2B/CF, Atlanta Braves (Triple-A Gwinnett Braves)
That little "CF" next to Peraza's name is interesting, isn't it? The Braves are aiming to add defensive versatility to Peraza's resume and let the chips fall as they may. He played his first career game in center field Wednesday, then played consecutive games there Friday and Saturday. This comes after the Braves worked him in center during spring camp.
Peraza looked the part of an inexperienced center fielder. His reads coming in were particularly shaky, and he second-guessed a couple reads by hesitating on the route. His first attempt Friday was actually very solid as he ranged to his right in the gap with a good route, and he showed solid range based on his excellent speed. He also showed instincts by rounding on a fly-ball route to get momentum toward third base on a throw. The arm will play well in center with a cleaner arm path and better footwork. Peraza has instincts and athleticism on his side, and I think repetition and experience will help him become serviceable at the position. It's going to take a lot more work, though, which is to be expected.
Peraza's offensive profile hasn't changed at a higher level. He barrels it often enough for a potentially above-average hit tool based on line drives to all fields, but it's sometimes hindered by an ultra-aggressive approach. He tends to lunge and punch at velo on the outer half, and he offers at spin away a little too often. He's also noticeably over-aggressive in pressure situations, such as whiffing with a runner on third by expanding the zone. He clocked 4.1 to first to maintain his well-known plus-plus speed, which could add some hits. Overall, my latest look didn't change my view that he's potentially a solid-average regular. –David Lee
Manny Banuelos, LHP, Atlanta Braves (Triple-A Gwinnett Braves)
Banuelos told me Saturday that his feel is getting back to where it was pre-elbow surgery, and he repeated the word "confident" numerous times to emphasize his confidence is back on the mound. The last thing to get back, according to Banuelos, is his velocity. He's working between starts to gain strength, but whether the fastball velocity will return remains to be seen. Right now, he's not that left-handed fireballer reaching back for mid-90s like he was in the Yankees system, but he's working within himself to get outs.
Banuelos was 88-92 on Thursday, staying mostly around 89-90. The fastball comes pretty straight and relies on spotting the corners for weak contact. He's capable of working up with two strikes to change eye levels at 91-92, and he shows pitchability by sequencing pretty well. His command was inconsistent by working too far off the plate or catching too much plate at times, and that goes back to what has been an inconsistent command profile in the past.
He's back to throwing his curveball instead of his cut-slider hybrid that he implemented under the Yankees' watch in 2014. The curve's depth was inconsistent but flashed excellent, and he went to it with more confidence than in the past. He mixed the curve and changeup fairly evenly, and both rated similarly. He also mixed in a few cut-sliders late in the outing as a fourth look, but it appeared fringy. Banuelos doesn't have a standout pitch as long as his fastball is around 90, but he did well to get the most out of it and spotted enough to avoid trouble. The command and control will continue to be iffy at times, but I saw enough in my look to project a back-end starter for the Braves. –David Lee
