Peraza's power helps guide Bats to victory

Jose Peraza has never been much of a power hitter, but he got a chance to flex his muscles a bit on Thursday.

Cincinnati's No. 5 prospect belted his first homer of the season, doubled twice and plated three runs in Triple-A Louisville's 8-3 win over Durham at Durham Bulls Athletic Park.

The 21-year-old infielder gave the Bats a 2-0 lead in the third inning when he scored Juan Perez with a double toward center field off Bulls starter Matt Andriese. Two innings later, he smacked another two-bagger off Andriese to to lead off the frame.

The Venezuela native saved his biggest hit for his final at-bat. With two outs in the eighth, he jumped on the first pitch from reliever Mark Sappington and deposited a two-run blast over the left-field wall for his 10th career long ball to give Louisville a five-run lead.

Signed by the Braves as an international free agent in 2010, Peraza has never wowed scouts with his power. MLB.com's No. 68 overall prospect received a grade of 25 for power on MLB Pipeline's 20-80 scale. His career slugging percentage sits at .389, with 10 homers in 479 Minor League games. Thursday's outburst raised Peraza's slugging percentage this season 89 points to .427.

Peraza is in his third organization in two years after being traded from the Dodgers to the Reds in the three-team deal that sent Todd Frazier to the White Sox in December. The 6-foot, 180-pound second baseman's calling card is his speed, which rates 70 on the 20-80 scale. Through 18 contests, however, he has two steals and has been caught four times, including once in the fifth against the Bulls.

With a .307/.358/.427 slash line and just one error in 86 chances in the field, Peraza could be well on his way to a return to the big leagues, where he played seven games with Los Angeles in August and September last year.

Top Reds prospect Jesse Winker contiunued his early-season tear by going 3-for-4 with a double for the Bats. The 22-year-old outfielder is hitting .323/.416/.415 in his first 17 games in the International League.

Louisville starter Josh Smith allowed a pair of runs on five hits and a walk and fanned five over six innings. Steve Delabar (1-0) surrendered an unearned run on a hit and a walk and struck out two over two innings in relief.

Justin Marks (0-1) took the loss for Durham after giving up four runs on four hits and two walks and three strikeouts over 2 2/3 frames.

No. 11 Rays prospect Richie Shaffer homered for the Bulls.