Wily Peralta

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #1 prospect in 2013
  Peralta's handlers in the Dominican Republic advertised him as an athletic outfielder with a promising power-speed combination when he became available on the international market in 2005. But the Brewers were more enamored with his strong, quick arm, and they signed him as a pitcher for $450,000. He lasted just one pro summer before blowing out his elbow, however, requiring Tommy John surgery that cost him the entire 2007 season. Back to full strength by 2009, Peralta began a steady climb through the system. In 2011, he led the Double-A Southern League with a 3.46 ERA and was so dominant in five late-season starts at Triple-A Nashville that Milwaukee expected him to return there last season and cruise. That didn't happen. He struggled with his mechanics, had trouble throwing strikes, pitched behind in the count too often and allowed hitters to sit on his fastball. Peralta allowed just four runs in his first three starts, but after a brief promotion to the Brewers--he gave up three hits and one run in his big league debut, a relief appearance on April 22--he returned to Nashville and couldn't get anyone out. His ERA swelled to 6.40 in late June, and his struggles cost him at least one chance to fill a hole in Milwaukee's rotation. Brewers officials were getting quite concerned. Peralta finally was able to make adjustments--a key was closing his front side instead of flying open in his delivery--and pitched well enough to get a September promotion to Milwaukee. He won his first big league start against the Marlins and two-hit the Mets for eight innings in his third. When Peralta has his mechanics together, he pounds the bottom half of the strike zone with a heavy 93-95 mph fastball. He also has the ability to reach back for a little extra velocity when needed, topping out at 98. He throws two- and four-seamers, and he likes to jam hitters by pitching inside. During his September callup, he featured a devastating slider that gave righthanders fits with its deception and sharp bite. He also has a reliable changeup with splitter action. There's nothing wrong with Peralta's stuff, but he still needs to control and command it better. For a big-bodied pitcher, he's quite athletic, fielding his position well and controlling the running game with quick times to the plate. His confidence waned during his early-season struggles, but he worked his way back and displayed solid poise while in Milwaukee. Peralta's September re-established his status as Milwaukee's top prospect and put him in position to make the major league rotation in spring training. He remains prone to bouts of wildness, but he profiles as at least a No. 2 starter. The Brewers haven't developed a pitcher this highly regarded since Yovani Gallardo, so a lot is riding on Peralta's success.
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #1 prospect in 2012
  When his handlers were shopping Peralta out of the Dominican Republic in 2005, they tried to sell him as an outfielder with raw power, speed and athleticism. But after the Brewers saw him display a quick arm capable of flashing a 96-mph fastball, they preferred him on the mound. He signed for $450,000 but suffered a significant setback early in his career, missing the entire 2007 season after undergoing Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. He has progressed steadily since then, developing into the workhorse pitcher Milwaukee always envisioned. At the outset of 2011, an injury to Zack Greinke gave him the chance to open the season in the Brewers rotation, but Peralta put too much pressure on himself and gave up 15 hits and 10 runs in 10 innings in big league camp. Instead, he returned to Double-A Huntsville after finishing 2010 there and led the Southern League with a 3.46 ERA. He earned a promotion to Triple-A Nashville in August and excelled even more, posting a 2.03 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 31 innings. With a big, physical frame and a repeatable delivery, Peralta regularly sits at 91-95 mph with his explosive fastball. When he reaches back for a little extra, he can get up to 98. He uses both two-seam and four-seam fastballs, with the two-seamer running down and in to righthanders, jamming them and often breaking their bats. He throws on a downward plane and keeps his fastball down in the zone, inducing grounders when he isn't missing bats. Peralta has developed better command of his secondary pitches, a low-80s slider and a changeup. Most scouts prefer his slider, which has some deception and sharp bite. He has improved his changeup in the last year and it features some good sink, though it still lacks consistency. Peralta has made strides with his control and command, but he still needs to throw more strikes and improve the location of his secondary pitches. He does a fine job of controlling the running game, permitting just four steals in 11 attempts in 2011. He fields his position well but has been an automatic out as a hitter, surprising considering his background. Peralta's confidence has continued to rise with his success and he displays more poise on the mound than he did early in his career. He's a hard worker who listens to instruction and absorbs it. He has a thick body and conditioning will always be key for him, but to his credit he has been committed in that regard. Early in his career, when he wasn't getting his secondary pitches over the plate, many observers thought Peralta profiled best a closer or set-up man. The Brewers stuck with him in the rotation and had him keep working on all of his pitches, and now they have a possible No. 2 or 3 starter. He'll get a good look in big league camp in spring training but, barring an injury to a veteran, he'll almost certainly begin 2012 back in Triple-A. Milwaukee believes he'll be big league-ready during the year if needed and definitely if Zack Greinke or Shaun Marcum departs as a free agent after the season.
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #5 prospect in 2011
  Peralta has made steady progress since missing the entire 2007 season following Tommy John surgery. After never pitching more than 104 innings in a season and totaling just 176 in his first four years as a pro, he worked a career-high 147 frames in 2010 and held his own after reaching Double-A. Milwaukee added him to its 40-man roster in November. Peralta already has three dependable pitches in place, starting with a 92-94 mph fastball that touches 96. He throws his fastball with little effort, though the pitch lacks life and doesn't induce a lot of swings and misses. Both of his secondary pitches--a low-80s slider with good tilt and a changeup--are average to slightly above-average. He simply needs to hone his pitches and command them on a more consistent basis. Peralta has a simple, repeatable delivery and a strong body, ingredients for becoming a workhorse starter. He's a focused worker with a confident demeanor. With his maturity and work ethic, the Brewers think Peralta isn't far from pitching in the majors. He'll return to Double-A to begin 2011, with a good chance for a midseason promotion. He could join Milwaukee's rotation by the end of 2012.
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #14 prospect in 2010
  Peralta sat out the 2007 season following Tommy John surgery, and Milwaukee continued to protect him by using him in a tandem-starter system at Wisconsin last year. He worked as many as six innings in a game just three times, though his 104 total innings eclipsed his previous career total of 72. Peralta has one of the best arms in the system. He easily throws his fastball at 92-94 mph and touches 96, and it features cutting and tailing action. He augments his heater with a low-80s slider that has good tilt. He has worked hard on his changeup and impressed coaches with it during instructional league. His improving changeup allows the Brewers to continue to project him as a starter in the majors, though some scouts have touted him as closer material. He has command issues at times, usually when he doesn't stay on top of his pitches. His thick build should lend itself to durability, though his delivery isn't very smooth and he'll need to maintain his conditioning. The Brewers are shy of quality starting pitchers at the upper levels of the system, so Peralta has a chance to carve a niche for himself. He should reach Double-A at some point in 2010.
• 
  Ranked Milwaukee Brewers #22 prospect in 2009
  Peralta was a breakthrough international signing for the Brewers, who gave him $450,000 in 2005, but he had Tommy John surgery after debuting in 2006 and missed all of the next season. He bounced back in a big way in 2008, showing off what some scouts thought was the best arm in the Pioneer League. Peralta regularly threw his fastball in the mid-90s, sometimes reaching 97-98 mph, and mixed in an improved slider that could be a big pitch for him down the road. Used exclusively in relief to protect his elbow last year, he seldom threw his changeup. Peralta still fights command issues at times, and with a thick build he'll have to stay on top of his conditioning. He's still young and figures to be even better two years removed from surgery. He could sail through the system if his secondary pitches continue to improve. He has reestablished himself as one of the top power pitchers in the organization and could become a late-inning reliever or perhaps a closer.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #8 prospect in 2011
  Since missing the 2007 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, Peralta has ascended steadily through the Brewers system. After a brief Double-A cameo in 2010, he returned to lead the SL in ERA (3.46) and excelled following a promotion to Triple-A in August. Peralta has a big, physical frame and a repeatable delivery. He sits at 91-95 mph with his fastball, reaching as high as 98. He throws both two- and four-seam fastballs, with the two-seamer running hard down and in to righties. Peralta's secondary pitches are at least average, with most observers preferring his hard slider to his sometimes-inconsistent changeup. He has made strides with his strike-throwing, but he still needs better command and pitchability to make it as a mid-rotation starter.
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #14 prospect in 2009
  One of three Tommy John surgery survivors on this list, joining Crosby and Peoria's Chris Carpenter (No. 20), Peralta blew out his elbow shortly after making his pro debut in 2006. The Brewers have brought him along slowly since, and he worked as many as six innings just three times while pitching in Wisconsin's tandem-starter system. Working at 92-94 mph and peaking at 96, Peralta had one of the best fastballs in the MWL, and it also features some cutting and tailing action. His low-80s slider has good tilt, though he gets under it at times but doesn't always throw it for strikes. To remain a starter as he advances, Peralta will have to improve his changeup and his command. He's thick-bodied and must watch his conditioning. His delivery is OK but not especially smooth, and added weight could cause him problems.
• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #16 prospect in 2008
  Peralta signed in 2006 for $450,000 and missed 2007 after having Tommy John surgery, but he returned this year and showed perhaps the most electric arm in the league. His fastball ranged from 93-97 mph, and he mixed in a solid-average slider that could be a plus pitch down the road. He also has a changeup, though he rarely used it while pitching exclusively in relief. Peralta didn't walk many batters, but his command is still below average. At 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, he has a thick build and will have to watch his weight as he matures.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #69 prospect in 2013
• Ranked Baseball America's #56 prospect in 2012

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Signed: Dominican Republic, 2005. Signed by: Fausto Sosa Pena/Fernando Arango. Background: Peralta's handlers in the Dominican Republic advertised him as an athletic outfielder with a promising power-speed combination when he became available on the international market in 2005. But the Brewers were more enamored with his strong, quick arm, and they signed him as a pitcher for $450,000. He lasted just one pro summer before blowing out his elbow, however, requiring Tommy John surgery that cost him the entire 2007 season. Back to full strength by 2009, Peralta began a steady climb through the system. In 2011, he led the Double-A Southern League with a 3.46 ERA and was so dominant in five late-season starts at Triple-A Nashville that Milwaukee expected him to return there last season and cruise. That didn't happen. Peralta struggled with his mechanics, had trouble throwing strikes and allowed hitters to sit on his fastball. He allowed just four runs in his first three starts, but after a brief promotion to the Brewers--he gave up three hits and one run in his big league debut, a relief appearance on April 22--he returned to Nashville and couldn't get anyone out. His ERA swelled to 6.40 in late June, and his struggles cost him at least one chance to fill a hole in Milwaukee's rotation. Brewers officials grew quite concerned. Peralta finally was able to make adjustments--a key was closing his front side instead of flying open in his delivery--and pitched well enough to get a September callup to Milwaukee. He showed why he ranked No. 1 on this list a year ago, winning his first big league start against the Marlins and two-hitting the Mets for eight innings in his third. Scouting Report: When Peralta has his mechanics together, he pounds the bottom half of the strike zone with a heavy 93-95 mph fastball. He also has the ability to reach back for a little extra velocity when needed, topping out at 98. He throws two- and four-seamers, and he likes to jam hitters by pitching inside. During his September callup, he featured a devastating slider that gave righthanders fits with its deception and sharp bite. He also has a reliable changeup with splitter action, and it keeps hitters off balance when they try to sit on his fastball. There's nothing wrong with Peralta's stuff, but he still needs to control and command it better. For a big-bodied pitcher, he's quite athletic, fielding his position well and controlling the running game with quick times to the plate. He gave up just nine stolen bases in 33 starts last year. His confidence waned during his early-season struggles, but he worked his way back and displayed solid poise while in Milwaukee. The Brewers like his aggressive nature, and he is a hard worker who listens to coaching suggestions. The Future: Peralta's September re-established his standing as Milwaukee's top prospect and put him in position to make the major league rotation in spring training. He remains prone to bouts of wildness and must stay on top of his mechanics, but he profiles as at least a No. 2 starter. The Brewers haven't developed a pitcher this highly regarded since Yovani Gallardo debuted in 2007, so a lot is riding on Peralta's success.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  When his handlers were shopping Peralta out of the Dominican Republic in 2005, they tried to sell him as an outfielder with raw power, speed and athleticism. But after the Brewers saw him display a quick arm capable of flashing a 96-mph fastball, they preferred him on the mound. He signed for $450,000 but suffered a significant setback early in his career, missing the entire 2007 season after undergoing Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. He has progressed steadily since then, developing into the workhorse pitcher Milwaukee always envisioned. At the outset of 2011, an injury to Zack Greinke gave him the chance to open the season in the Brewers rotation, but Peralta put too much pressure on himself and gave up 15 hits and 10 runs in 10 innings in big league camp. Instead, he returned to Double-A Huntsville after finishing 2010 there and led the Southern League with a 3.46 ERA. He earned a promotion to Triple-A Nashville in August and excelled even more, posting a 2.03 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 31 innings. With a big, physical frame and a repeatable delivery, Peralta regularly sits at 91-95 mph with his explosive fastball. When he reaches back for a little extra, he can get up to 98. He uses both two-seam and four-seam fastballs, with the two-seamer running down and in to righthanders, jamming them and often breaking their bats. He throws on a downward plane and keeps his fastball down in the zone, inducing grounders when he isn't missing bats. Peralta has developed better command of his secondary pitches, a low-80s slider and a changeup. Most scouts prefer his slider, which has some deception and sharp bite. He has improved his changeup in the last year and it features some good sink, though it still lacks consistency. Peralta has made strides with his control and command, but he still needs to throw more strikes and improve the location of his secondary pitches. He does a fine job of controlling the running game, permitting just four steals in 11 attempts in 2011. He fields his position well but has been an automatic out as a hitter, surprising considering his background. Peralta's confidence has continued to rise with his success and he displays more poise on the mound than he did early in his career. He's a hard worker who listens to instruction and absorbs it. He has a thick body and conditioning will always be key for him, but to his credit he has been committed in that regard. Early in his career, when he wasn't getting his secondary pitches over the plate, many observers thought Peralta profiled best a closer or set-up man. The Brewers stuck with him in the rotation and had him keep working on all of his pitches, and now they have a possible No. 2 or 3 starter. He'll get a good look in big league camp in spring training but, barring an injury to a veteran, he'll almost certainly begin 2012 back in Triple-A. Milwaukee believes he'll be big league-ready during the year if needed and definitely if Zack Greinke or Shaun Marcum departs as a free agent after the season.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: When his handlers were shopping Peralta out of the Dominican Republic in 2005, they tried to sell him as an outfielder with raw power, speed and athleticism. But after the Brewers saw him display a quick arm capable of flashing a 96-mph fastball, they preferred him on the mound. He signed for $450,000 but suffered a significant setback early in his career, missing the entire 2007 season after undergoing Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. He has progressed steadily since then, developing into the workhorse pitcher Milwaukee always envisioned. At the outset of 2011, an injury to Zack Greinke gave him the chance to open the season in the Brewers rotation, but Peralta put too much pressure on himself and gave up 15 hits and 10 runs in 10 innings in big league camp. Instead, he returned to Double-A Huntsville after finishing 2010 there and led the Southern League with a 3.46 ERA. He earned a promotion to Triple-A Nashville in August and excelled even more, posting a 2.03 ERA and 40 strikeouts and just 11 walks in 31 innings with the Sounds.
  
  Scouting Report: With a big, physical frame and a repeatable delivery, Peralta regularly sits at 91-95 mph with his explosive fastball. When he reaches back for a little extra, he can get up to 98. He uses both two-seam and four-seam fastballs, with the two-seamer running down and in to righthanders, jamming them and often breaking their bats. He throws on a downward plane and keeps his fastball down in the zone, inducing grounders when he isn't missing bats. Peralta has developed better command of his secondary pitches, a low-80s slider and a changeup. Most scouts prefer his slider, which has some deception and sharp bite. He has improved his changeup in the last year and it features some good sink, though it still lacks consistency. Peralta has made strides with his control and command, but he still needs to throw more strikes and improve the location of his secondary pitches. He does a fine job of controlling the running game, permitting just four steals in 11 attempts in 2011. He fields his position well but has been an automatic out as a hitter, surprising considering his background. Peralta's confidence has continued to rise with his success and he displays more poise on the mound than he did early in his career. He's a hard worker who listens to instruction and absorbs it. He has a thick body and conditioning will always be key to his success, but to his credit he has been committed to staying in good shape.
  
  The Future: Early in his career, when he wasn't getting his secondary pitches over the plate, many observers thought Peralta profiled best as a closer or set-up man. The Brewers stuck with him in the rotation and had him keep working on all of his pitches, and now they have a possible No. 2 or 3 starter. He'll get a good look in big league camp in spring training but, barring an injury to a veteran, he'll almost certainly begin 2012 back in Triple-A. Milwaukee believes he'll be big league-ready during the year if needed and definitely if Greinke or Shaun Marcum departs as a free agent after the season.