Milwaukee Brewers Designate Wily Peralta for Assignment
By David Hill
Wily Peralta seemed to be a future cornerstone for the Milwaukee Brewers starting rotation. Instead, his inconsistencies have led to his being designated for assignment.
There was a time when Wily Peralta appeared to be a key piece for the Milwaukee Brewers. A former top prospect in the organization, Peralta was the first pitcher in the majors to win 14 games in 2014. He finished the season with a 17-11 record, along with a 3.53 ERA and a respectable 1.304 WHiP. It seemed as though Peralta would be a part of the next contending Brewers ballclub.
Instead, he struggled, unable to recapture that performance. Last year, his struggles got to the point where he was sent to the minors for nearly two months, as he posted a 6.68 ERA in his first 13 outings. When he returned, Peralta was a different pitcher, posting a 2.92 ERA and a 1.151 WHiP in his final 61.2 innings. Peralta looked like that pitcher the Brewers hoped he would be.
Alas, that performance was unable to carry over into the 2017 campaign. He struggled once more, and after eight starts, was sent to the bullpen. Peralta’s struggles only intensified as a reliever, with the nadir coming on July 27. He recorded only five outs while allowing seven runs on eight hits and two walks in the Brewers 15-2 loss to the Nationals. On Saturday, Milwaukee cut ties with the enigmatic hurler, designating Peralta for assignment.
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Given his performance this year, the move makes sense. Overall in 2017, Peralta has posted a career worst 7.85 ERA and a 1.831 WHiP. While his strikeout rate of 8.2 K/9 is a personal best, his 5.0 BB/9 is also a career worst. His lack of command, coupled with his 73 hits allowed in 57.1 innings, have led to disaster.
As he is making $4.28 Million this season, it is hard to imagine that a team will select Peralta from waivers. However, his flashes of brilliance at the end of last season, and his relative youth at 28 years old, could make Peralta an enticing buy low candidate. Perhaps a change of scenery would be all that Peralta needs to tap into his potential.
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The writing was on the wall after Wily Peralta’s disastrous outing on Thursday. On Saturday, the other shoe dropped, as the Milwaukee Brewers designated Peralta for assignment.