Yankees pitching for Iverson Pereira and Oswald Peraza, sources say: What that means for New York’s future

Changes are coming to the pinstripe — and it’s not just ads with ugly sleeves.

The New York Yankees have made some moves as they face the reality of a disappointing 2023 season. At 60-64, the team is last in the American League East and nine games behind the third and final wild card spot. Only 38 games remain in the regular season.

So, they’ve made three promotions aimed at adding some juice to the Bronx and looking toward 2024. They’ve moved prospects Iverson Pereira, an outfielder, and Oswald Peraza, an outfielder, to the major league squad, according to team sources. Outfielder Jason Dominguez, nicknamed “The Martian,” is headed to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, a team source said.

Peraza, 23, was rated the Yankees’ No. 2 player during the season, according to the athleteKeith’s Law. Many expected him to be the Yankees’ big-league starting Opening Day shortstop, but MVP overall prospect Anthony Volpi beat him out for the job in a spring training draft that also included Isiah Keener-Valeva. Peraza has played sparingly in the major leagues this season, making 64 appearances. At Triple A, he hit . 268 with 14 home runs, 36 RBIs, and a 0.846 OPS in 63 games. He is a strong defender with a pop.

Pereira, 22, is the game’s 51st prospect, according to Law’s midseason update to the top 60 prospects. Between Double-A Somerset and Triple A, he hit . 300 with 18 home runs, 64 RBIs, and 0.921 OPS in 81 games.

“He’s an above-average defender in midfield who can run down and displays electric racquet speed that really produces traction, with 11 players so far this year in 55 appearances after kicking 14 goals last year in almost double the playing time,” Law wrote. in July. “He’s added some strength even since last year and can drive the ball the other way, although his home runs are almost all in the direction of the draw.”

Dominguez, 20, has long been one of the most popular prospects in the game. Law ranks him No. 27 overall. The Yankees gave him a record signing bonus of $5.1 million as a 16-year-old in 2019 outside of the Dominican Republic. At Double A, he hit . 254 with 15 home runs, 66 RBIs, and a 0.781 OPS in 109 games. “(He’s) still extra strong, runs in excess, plays solid defense or better in the middle, and controls territory very well for his age,” Law wrote.

What does this mean for the rest of the New York season?

At this point, the Yankees know the score. Fangraphs gives them a 0.5 percent chance of making the playoffs. On Saturday, owner Hal Steinbrenner, general manager Brian Cashman, and manager Aaron Boone met to discuss the team’s status and outlook, and talked about prospects that should show up in the major leagues the rest of the way. Pereira and Peraza were two obvious choices.

There is also the chance of a promotion to Austin Wells, ranked No. 8 in the system, on September 1st when active rosters expand to 28 players from 26. Pereira and Peraza will play essentially every day as they learn the basics of the game. big leagues. It’s a shocking spot in which the Yankees found themselves. The team was the favorite to win the AL East title after reaching the AL Championship Series (and sweeping the Astros) last year. now? They are jostling. — cutie

What does it mean for 2024

The Yankees are getting a head start on whether Pereira and Pereira should both be on the 2024 Opening Day roster. For Pereira, there could be two opportunities on the field next season, with quarterback Harrison Bader on a free transfer this season. Pereira would likely slide to left field for the rest of the season as it was a revolving door after General Manager Cashman failed to properly tackle the position in the winter. If Pereira excels, it is clear that he will have a chance to win a position on the field for next season. Center field is Pereira’s natural location, but the Yankees have split their Double A and Triple A running backs roughly evenly in all three positions, so there is some relief in the corners.

For Perassa, his expectations for 2024 of him becoming an everyday player are a bit more murkier given the opportunities available now. If the Yankees move Gleiber Torres in the offseason, that would obviously give Peraza and Volpe an opportunity to be a midfield combination. If the Yankees decide that DJ LeMahieu is no longer a regular player, Peraza could share time with him at third base, as Josh Donaldson is not expected to return next season. But this opportunity against Peraza is the biggest he has had during the limited time he has had in the Major League. — Kirchner

What does that mean for Dominguez?

It’s not out of the question that Dominguez will eventually get a chance in spring training 2024 to make a big-league roster. That’s the way it worked out for Volpe, who played just 22 games for a Triple A team before getting the Yankees’ starting shortstop job. Dominguez earned his promotion based on merit. Over his last 42 games, he hit . 333 with five home runs, 29 RBI and a 0.895 OPS. He also stole 19 bases. Domínguez has twice played for the MLB All-Star Futures Game. — cutie

The expected lineup with Pereira and Peraza

There remains uncertainty about Anthony Rizzo’s availability for the rest of the season. If the Yankees officially shut down Rizzo, LeMahieu can play first base with Peraza taking over third base. It would be ideal for the Yankees if Peraza also played second base and shortstop on days when Glaber Torres or Volpe needed a day off. But there is clearly a chance for Peraza to play every day for the rest of the season, especially if Rizzo is dropped.

With that said, here’s a look at what the potential line-up could look like with both Pereira and Pereira in the squad:

Limahew 1b
Judge R.F
Torres 2b
Stanton DH
Badr C.F
Pereira LF
Volpi SS
Peraza 3 b
Rortvedt/Higashioka C — Kirchner

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(Photo: Clive Welsh/Icon Sportswire via AP Images)