The Venezuelan who wants to be the Yankees’ starting shortstop

The New York Yankees have a great roster ahead of the 2023 Major League Baseball season. However, the shortstop position is still in some doubt due to Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s inconsistencies last season.

The starting job would seem to still be available and Oswald Peraza feels that he has a great shot at winning the job outright, although he won’t get caught up in the battle for the job.

“I felt really good coming into camp. But honestly, I’m focused on my work and my job and my responsibilities,” Peraza said. “I understand there is a competition for shortstop, but for me, I’ve got to walk my path. I’ve got to focus on what I need to do and pay attention to the small details.”

Peraza, who maintains his rookie status, played in only 18 games for the Yankees in 2022, had 49 at-bats, delivering 15 hits and driving in two runs for .306/.404/.429 slash line. With a month to go before Opening Day, the Venezuelan has a clear objective.

“Once you go to the big leagues and you experience that level of baseball, you definitely want to be playing at that level,” Peraza said. “That’s my goal. My goal is to try to win this competition and establish myself as a shortstop in the big leagues.”

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Depth at shortstop

According to the Yankees depth chart for Spring Training, the shortstop order is Kiner-Falefa, Peraza, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Gleyber Torres. With Opening Day just over the horizon, manager Aaron Boone is aware there is a long way to go before deciding who will start.

“It’ll be an ongoing conversation,” says Aaron Boone. “You never know what’s going to happen; let alone four or five weeks from now, but even just one week from now. Right now, it’s February 28, so it’s more about treating these guys in a way that you’re trying to build them up and get ready for a long season.”