Top Braves prospect Peraza added to roster

Jose Peraza couldn't have done much more during the 2014 regular season. In the offseason, he can't go any higher.

The Braves announced Wednesday that they will add their top prospect to the 40-man roster, protecting the 20-year-old second baseman from Rule 5 Draft eligibility.

Peraza, who is rated by MLB.com as the No. 52 prospect in all of baseball, batted .339 with 60 stolen bases and 33 extra-base hits between Class A Advanced Lynchburg and Double-A Mississippi in his second full season.

He signed with the Braves out of Barinas, Venezuela and has since ripped off 177 bags in 219 tries.

Third baseman Kyle Kubitza, left-hander Yean Carlos Gil and right-handers Tyrell Jenkins (No. 7 in the Braves system), Mauricio Cabrera (ranked just behind Jenkins), Brandon Cunniff and Williams Perez also will be added to the big league roster.

Southpaw reliever Johnny Venters and infielder Ramiro Pena were designated for assignment to make room for the additions.