BRONX, NY — Oswald Peraza of the Los Angeles Angels was a highly touted prospect who was viewed as a glove-first player with speed. But his bat never came along to the level the Yankees had hoped it would.
Prior to getting dealt in a trade to Anaheim from the Yankees last July, the 25-year-old Venezuelan was sent back and forth between Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and the Yankees several times during his four-year MLB tenure from 2022-2025.
“Well, it’s different, you know, I am happy for this opportunity with the Angels,” Peraza told Latino Sports before the Angels and Yankees took the field this past Tuesday night in the Bronx.
“And, yeah, it was good memories with the Yankees.”
Oswald Peraza catching up with Yankees’ RHP Luis Gil and Yankees’ Spanish Interpreter and Media Relations Coordinator Marlon Abreu on Tuesday afternoon during batting practice at Yankee Stadium – Image Credit: Latino Sports
Making the most of his opportunity on the diamond with the Angels, Peraza, of Barquisimeto, Venezuela, got the start at second base Tuesday while facing off against Yankees left-hander Ryan Weathers. The right-handed hitter is a natural shortstop, but can also play second base and third base at a high level which has already shown to help make the Angels a more versatile group.
Peraza’s career fielding percentage is .975, saving eight runs in 1,349.2 MLB innings. He even played 108 innings at first base with the Angels last season but has yet to play any innings at shortstop because of Los Angeles’ Cuban-American Zach Neto, a franchise cornerstone.
“The routine is everything for me,” Peraza said on the key to his defensive skills and mindset. “You know it’s still the same baseball no matter where you play. I’ve just been working hard every day.”
Peraza saw the Angels as a fresh start to his professional career, and he didn’t dwell on being cut by the Yankees. He also made sure to show the Yankees what they were missing Tuesday with a 3-for-3 performance, which included a home run and a 12 pitch walk.
None of his three hits were cheap, all getting smoked at an exit velocity of 105-MPH or greater.
“He killed us,” Boone said of Peraza’s performance. “Stung three balls and then worked a 12-pitch walk in his last at-bat. He was right in the middle of hurting us tonight.”
Furthermore, Peraza is having a resurgent season in the early goings of 2026 with three home runs, five RBI, one stolen base, and an OPS of .838 over 45 at-bats.
“Last year with the Yankees was a good experience, and that will always be my first team,” Peraza said. “Everything happens for a reason, and I’m enjoying every day with the Angels.”
Another cool moment for Peraza came before the 2026 regular season even began as he watched his native country Venezuela win the World Baseball Classic.
“Wow, that was amazing,” he said. “I’m from Venezuela, and we are winners.”
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