Oswald Peraza dubbed frontrunner to step in at third base as Josh Donaldson heads to Yankees IL: “Come and take the job Oswald”

When young Venezuelan Oswald Peraza was called up to the New York Yankees last September, hopes were high for the young infielder.

After signing as an international free agent with the Yankees in the summer of 2016, Peraza embarked on a long stretch of minor league play. After five years of kicking around the minors, Peraza was called up by the Yankees in 2022.

He appeared in 18 games during the month of September, hitting .306/.404/.429 with a pair of RBIs and his first-career home run. However, he failed to make the cut after 2023 spring training with the Yankees.

Peraza only hit .191 in 42 at-bats during Grapefruit League play. Although he did not make a strong case for his hitting, he was noted for his agility, versatility, and coordination during fielding situations.

However, good news came for Peraza on April 6th. Yankees third baseman Josh Donaldson, who came to the "Bombers" from the Minnesota Twins last year, has been sent to the IL with a hamstring injury.

"Josh Donaldson is likely going on the IL, per @ChrisKirchner" - Talkin' Yanks

Despite winning the 2015 MVP Award as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays, the 36-year old Donaldson has been in steep decline. He hit only .222 with the Yankees last year, representing his worst season to date.

Immediately, calls for Oswald Peraza to replace the former MVP have begun. Although Peraza is a trained shortstop, there appears to be no room there. Some fans are even seeming to wish that perhaps Josh Donaldson could take an extended break from playing.

In addition to Oswald Peraza, New York Yankees fans were treated to another young stud in Anthony Volpe this preseason. A first-round draft pick for the Yankees in 2019, Volpe impressed management enough to displace 2022 shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the infield.

It is unclear whether or not Yankees manager Aaron Boone will opt to install Oswald Peraza at the third base position. Peraza is still young and has yet to appear at third base in a game on the North American continent.

Oswald Peraza exemplifies Yankees' youthful push

Although Oswald Peraza did not immediately appear to be the obvious choice at third base, crazier things have happened. Virtually nobody expected Anthony Volpe to be the team's opening day shortstop, but he was sure to prove them wrong. Either way, Peraza is a talented young man with a bright career ahead of him.