The New York Yankees announced last night, on Thursday, that they were calling up 22-year-old prospect Oswald Peraza.
With starting shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa struggling to the tune of an 80 wRC+ (100 is considered league average offensive performance) and a .315 slugging percentage, it was the right thing to do: Peraza had a .942 OPS and 14 home runs in his last 53 Triple-A games.
Over the full season in Scranton, he had 19 home runs and 33 stolen bases, so yes: he is ready.
To the fans’ surprise, however, manager Aaron Boone didn’t write Peraza’s name in Friday’s lineup against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Friday Night at the Trop. #RepBX
Presented by @Hilton pic.twitter.com/aGCxblvpKL
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) September 2, 2022
Whose name appears as the starting shortstop?
Kiner-Falefa.
Why call up one of your best prospect to have him go to the bench?
It makes no sense.
Fans Are Mad About Peraza And Cabrera Not Being In The Lineup
Fans let the team know via Twitter.
Amir Khalifa heavily criticized Boone, saying that he “is just trolling the fans now. Calls up Cabrera and Peraza but plays no hit Hicks and no glove IKF ?!!??”
Boone is just trolling the fans now.
Calls up Caberara and Peraza but plays no hit Hicks and no glove IKF ?!!??#RepBX pic.twitter.com/srvn6mZY4I— Amr Khalifa (@Cairo67Unedited) September 2, 2022
He wasn’t the only one.
Mike Nash makes a very good point: with the Tampa Bay Rays just six games behind the Yankees, this is effectively the biggest series of the year.
If Tampa sweeps, they will be just three games back.
Why not field your best lineup?
“Hicks/IKF in the lineup over Cabrera/Peraza in what fans are saying is the “biggest series of the year!!!” is something I can’t help but respect,” Nash wrote on Twitter.
Hicks/IKF in the lineup over Cabrera/Peraza in what fans are saying is the “biggest series of the year!!!” is something I can’t help but respect.
— Mike Nash (@MikeNash15) September 2, 2022
Sports fan Benito joined the party: “Peraza and Cabrera sitting. Man this team never seems to amaze me. But yeah definitely need Hicks in the lineup,” he tweeted.
Peraza and Cabrera sitting. Man this team never seems to amaze me. But yeah definitely need Hicks in the lineup. https://t.co/S69jnw4kss
— Benito (NYY 79-52) (@Benito2325) September 2, 2022
Joe Sabin, a fellow Yankees fan, pointed out an obvious fact: Peraza is both an offensive AND a defensive upgrade over IKF.
“The lack of Cabrera and Peraza is such an issue what’s the point of calling up these kids if you don’t play them every day. Especially Peraza who statically is a better defensive shortstop then IKF. Don’t call up a top prospect if you aren’t going to play them every game,” he said.
The lack of Cabrera and Peraza is such an issue what's the point of calling up these kids if you don't play them every day. Especially Peraza who statically is a better defensive shortstop then IKF. Don't call up a top prospect if you aren't going to play them every game. https://t.co/9v1d2ekkOx
— Joe Sabin (@josephsabin3) September 2, 2022
Fans are mad.
Will the Yankees pay for their mistake?
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