Milwaukee Brewers roundtable: Can Freddy Peralta become an ace?
Dairyland Express is launching a weekly roundtable about the Milwaukee Brewers where three writers will answer questions on a certain topic. This week: Freddy Peralta.
The Milwaukee Brewers are in first place in the National League Central and fans’ expectations are growing at an exponential rate. We want to honor that added enthusiasm by launching a weekly roundtable where three Brewers’ writers will answer questions about the hot-button topics.
1. Freddy Peralta had a great first start and then managed to get through Saturday’s game without his best stuff. How impressed have you been with him so far?
Mitchell Reichert (@MitchReichert): Freddy Peralta has been absolutely phenomenal so far. While Corbin Burnes received most of the talk last season, and rightfully so, what Peralta has done so far has been even more impressive.
More from Dairyland Express
- Packers Week 14 Rooting Guide: Best Outcomes for Playoff Odds
- What to Know: Packers reportedly sign RB Kenyan Drake
- Packers Rookie Ladder After Massive Win Over Chiefs
- What to Know: Packers claim CB David Long off waivers
- Bucks Film Room Podcast: 3 Positive Takeaways
He’s only 21 and yet was able to make Colorado Rockie’s hitters look downright foolish in his Major League debut on Mother’s Day on his way to setting a new Brewers record for strikeouts in a debut with 13. I’ve been quite high on him since the middle of last season, but that outing showed me that he definitely has what it takes to have success in the big leagues.
In Saturday’s outing he did show some wildness that all young pitchers have and are expected to show, and yet he still was able to go four innings and only gave up four runs, keeping the Brewers in the game. Once he gets more innings under his belt in both Triple-A and the big leagues, he will be a fan favorite.
Mike Wendlandt (@MikeWendlandt): There’s no doubt Peralta was absolutely stellar in his debut game in Colorado. To limit the Rockies to one hit with 13 strikeouts is a game for the ages, especially for a 21-year old. And while he did struggle during his second start, especially with the command of his fastball, he was extremely impressive during his short tenure with the Brewers. He wasn’t off by much in Minnesota and this experience, both good and bad, will help him in the long run.
As a last note, beyond his incredible performance on the mound, even more impressive was his composure and maturity. He was a true professional during his debut and the following start, showing class and a presence that most 31-year olds don’t have, let alone 21. I came away from his tenure with nothing but positive after positive with Freddy Peralta.
Nick Michalski (@MichalskiNick): I was blown away by his first start against the Rockies, particularly because he threw around 90 percent fastballs. He located his pitches well and appeared to overpower or surprise many hitters.
Nevertheless, a guy with good stuff such as Peralta often has a dominant first outing and then teams begin to build a book regarding what he does on the mound.
Few expected 13 strikeouts and one of the best debuts by a Brewers starter in history from Peralta. It turned into a special game on Mother’s Day and a great story with Peralta’s family in attendance.
It was refreshing to see a young Brewers starter arrive from the minors with such electric stuff, which has been all too rare in the franchise’s history. Predictably, however, he struggled against the Twins and looked as if he might get rocked at any moment.
It will be hard to keep expectations down after his first start, but that’s what fans should do for now.