MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin - Jose Peraza was in the batting cages with Cincinnati Reds hitting coaches Don Long and Tony Jaramillo earlier this season when he was asked how many home runs he hit at the minor league level.
Peraza was known for hitting singles, not crushing pitches over the fence.
The coaches asked the question because they wanted him to start driving the ball with his legs. Listed at 6-foot, 196 pounds, they felt Peraza could tap into his power.
In more than 2,000 minor league at-bats, Peraza totaled 11 home runs.
This season: Peraza entered Monday with a career-high eight homers and he’s tied for the team lead with 26 doubles.