TAMPA — Aaron Boone knows how Oswald Peraza is feeling.
The Yankees manager sipped his first cup of major league coffee with the Reds in 1997, and then made the team out of spring training in 1998. But a demotion soon followed, and Boone’s performance took a hit upon his return to Triple-A. The former third baseman doesn’t think he had an attitude after being sent down, but Boone acknowledged it was hard for him.
“I’m sure there was something to being back there,” Boone said Monday before the Yankees’ last spring training game in Tampa.
Boone shared that anecdote with Peraza on Sunday after the top prospect lost the Yankees’ shortstop battle to Anthony Volpe and was assigned to Triple-A. Peraza enjoyed a brief stint in the big leagues last year, so his situation is similar, though not identical, to Boone’s experience with Cincinnati.
Boone broke the news to Peraza in what he called a “difficult conversation,” though the skipper said the 22-year-old handled it like a pro.
“We still think he’s gonna have a long big league career as a big league shortstop and that message needed to get relayed,” Boone said. “But also, like, go handle your business down there and go work and get better each and every day, and the situation can change quickly.”
Boone added that Monday could have been an off day for Peraza, but he chose to get work in.
While Volpe — the winner of the James P. Dawson Award, given annually to the most outstanding Yankees rookie in spring training — shined on both sides of the ball, Peraza had a difficult spring offensively. He slashed just .190/.306/.310 with one homer.
“Listen, (Peraza) had every opportunity. He’s got a great deal of ability that we still believe in. There was only one spot available,” general manager Brian Cashman said Monday. “Anthony Volpe took it.”
Peraza, meanwhile, said Sunday that he sensed how the competition would play out.
“When you look at the results that he has gotten, it’s really, really good results,” Peraza said. “Everybody has seen it. He has a bright future ahead of him. I can see it. Everybody can see it.”
Peraza also said he’s been working on some adjustments at the plate that he hopes will keep him from getting beat on inside pitches. Boone said Peraza will also play some second base in the minors.
“Peraza’s a shortstop,” Cashman said, “but making sure that we have some flexibility with him is gonna benefit us.”
While the infielder continues to work on his craft at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Boone is confident Peraza will return to the majors soon, just like Boone did with the Reds.
“His time will come,” Boone assured.
Batting ninth
Boone said that Volpe will likely bat ninth to start the year, though he could hit eighth at times. Boone also said he’s an option to leadoff when DJ LeMahieu isn’t in the order.
As with all things lineups, Volpe’s slot in the order can be fluid, especially if he hits well. For now, however, Boone likes the idea of having his approach and speed in the nine-hole.
“The way he controls the strike zone, he has a chance to be a guy that gets on base a lot,” Boone said, adding that he’ll let the rookie run. “I definitely like that component ahead of the top of our lineup.”
Hamilton’s hanging around
Cashman said the Yankees plan on keeping Ian Hamilton around, one way or another. The righty reliever, who has an out in the minor league contract he signed, could make the team outright, or be added to the 40-man roster and optioned.
Hamilton made a strong case for himself this spring, not allowing a run over 8.1 innings. Derailed by a shoulder-injuring car accident and a line drive to the face in 2019, he owns a 4.91 ERA over 15 games with the White Sox and Twins.
Cashman said the Yankees haven’t decided yet on their final bullpen and outfield spots. He didn’t guarantee when to expect that news, though he said following the Yankees’ final exhibition game, on Tuesday in Washington, DC, would be preferable. The Yankees have to submit their roster by 9 a.m. Thursday.
Carlos the conqueror
Carlos Rodon threw his second bullpen since mildly straining his left forearm on Monday. The session included 30 pitches, including five sliders and five curveballs, and a bit more intensity than the southpaw’s first session.
Rodon, who will remain in Tampa, said he isn’t focused on when he’ll make his Yankees debut just yet. Rather, he wants to “conquer” each step of his rehab.
“Whatever the next thing is, whether it’s live BP or a bullpen, for me, it’s like game day,” he said. “That’s kind of how I’ve been attacking this. I don’t look at the timeline.”
Opening outfield
Boone didn’t want to reveal his Opening Day outfield configuration, but he did say that Aaron Judge probably won’t start in left field. He added that the versatile Oswaldo Cabrera is a candidate to start… somewhere.
