GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- It was certainly a year of change for Reds infielder Jose Peraza. First he was traded in July from the Braves to the Dodgers. Then he was traded again in December to Cincinnati in the three-team deal that sent Todd Frazier to the White Sox.
"The first trade was kind of tough on me, but the second one, I knew it was the business," Peraza, MLBPipeline.com's No. 71 prospect, said Friday through translator Charlie Rodriguez -- his first public comments since joining the Reds.
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Peraza, who turns 22 on April 30, is in camp without a firm spot to play. He switched from shortstop to second base while in the Braves' organization because he was blocked at the time by Andrelton Simmons.
"It wasn't that easy, but I made it happen," Peraza said of the change.
The Reds have both middle infield spots locked up with Zack Cozart at shortstop and Brandon Phillips at second base. Phillips, who has full no-trade protection, blocked a move to the Nationals over the winter. He has two years and $27 million remaining on his contract.
Besides two infield spots, Peraza can also play center field.
"I will play all three if they want," he said. "Second or short would be preferred."
Last season at Triple-A, Peraza batted .293/.316/.378 with four homers, 42 RBIs and 33 steals. He is a .302/.342/.387 hitter in five Minor League seasons. He debuted in the big leagues last year with seven games for the Dodgers.
"I learned a lot," Peraza said of being in the Majors. "I felt comfortable. I knew I could play here."