David Peralta

David Peralta
Peralta with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2016
Free agent
Outfielder
Born: (1987-08-14) August 14, 1987 (age 37)
Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
June 1, 2014, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.278
Hits1,166
Home runs125
Runs batted in569
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Senger David Peralta Guerreiro (born August 14, 1987) is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres.

Peralta signed with the St. Louis Cardinals organization in 2004 as a pitcher. After getting released and playing in independent baseball leagues, where he became an outfielder, Peralta made his MLB debut in 2014 with the Diamondbacks. He won the Silver Slugger Award in 2018 and the Gold Glove Award in 2019. The Diamondbacks traded Peralta to the Rays during the 2022 season. He played for the Dodgers in 2023 and the Padres in 2024.

Early life

David Peralta was born on August 14, 1987, in Valencia, Venezuela, where he grew up with two sisters, Ivonne and Erika.[1] His father is also named David Peralta, and his mother is Diocelina Peralta.[2]

Career

Early career

Peralta signed with the St. Louis Cardinals as an international free agent in 2004 for a $35,000 signing bonus.[3][4] He began his professional career as a pitcher in the Dominican Summer League. He played in the Appalachian League in 2006 and 2007, but required two surgeries on his shoulder and spent the 2008 season rehabilitating. The Cardinals released Peralta in May 2009.[2][5]

Peralta then played for three seasons as an outfielder in independent baseball for the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings, Wichita Wingnuts, and Amarillo Sox.[6][7]

Arizona Diamondbacks

Peralta in 2020

On July 3, 2013, Peralta signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He played for the Visalia Rawhide of the High–A California League after he signed and began the 2014 season with the Mobile BayBears of the Double–A Southern League.[8]

The Diamondbacks promoted Peralta to the major leagues for the first time on June 1, 2014.[9] He made his major league debut that day.[7] He tied a Diamondbacks record by recording seven multi-hit games in his first 15 games, hitting .328 with one home run and two RBIs.[10] In 2015, Peralta batted .312 with 17 home runs and an NL-leading 10 triples as the Diamondbacks' primary left fielder.[11]

Peralta played in 48 games for the Diamondbacks in 2016, hitting .251/.295/.433 with 4 home runs and 43 hits in 171 at-bats. In 2017 with Arizona, Peralta played in 140 games for the club, batting .293/.352/.444 with 154 hits and 14 home runs in 525 at-bats. In 2018, Peralta hit .293/.352/.516 in 146 games for the Diamondbacks, with a career high 164 hits and a career high 30 home runs. Peralta was awarded the Silver Slugger award at the end of the season. In 2019, Peralta batted .275/.343/.461 in 99 games for Arizona, with 105 hits and 12 home runs. He was awarded the Gold Glove award at the end of the season. Peralta would continue his success offensively in the 2020 season, hitting an even .300 with 5 home runs and finishing second on the team in RBI with 34.

On May 14, 2021, Peralta made his pitching debut, allowing 3 runs in an inning during a blowout loss versus the Washington Nationals. In the appearance, he notched his first major league strikeout, punching out Nationals outfielder Yadiel Hernández.[12] In 2021, Peralta batted .259/.325/.402 with 8 home runs and 63 RBIs. He was tied for the major league lead with eight triples.

Tampa Bay Rays

On July 30, 2022, Peralta was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Christian Cerda.[13] Peralta singled twice on October 1, 2022, versus Cristian Javier of the Houston Astros to earn his 1,000th career hit.[14] With Tampa Bay in 2022, he batted .255/.317/.335 with zero home runs in 161 at bats.[15]

Los Angeles Dodgers

On February 16, 2023, Peralta signed a one-year, $6.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[16] He played in 133 games, and hit .259/.294/.381 with seven home runs and 55 RBI.[17] At the conclusion of the season, Peralta underwent a flexor tendon repair procedure on his left arm to repair an injury he suffered around mid-season.[18] He became a free agent following the season.

Chicago Cubs

On February 19, 2024, Peralta signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.[19] In 20 games for the Triple–A Iowa Cubs, he hit .217/.341/.348 with two home runs and eight RBI. On May 10, Peralta opted out of his contract and elected free agency.[20]

San Diego Padres

On May 18, 2024, Peralta signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.[21] After three games for the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas, he had his contract selected to the active roster on May 22.[22] He primarily played right field with Fernando Tatís Jr. injured,[23] and had a slash line of .267/.335/.415, his highest since the shortened 2020 season.[24]

Personal life

Peralta's wife Jordan gave birth to their first child in August 2017.[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ Ringolsby, Tracy (May 22, 2016). "Peralta a prime example of never giving up". MLB.com. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Nightengale, Bob (April 1, 2016). "'It's never too late': David Peralta's unlikely renaissance in Arizona". USA Today. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  3. ^ Reiter, Ben (July 22, 2015). "How David Peralta went from indy league player to MLB outfielder". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  4. ^ Kepner, Tyler (March 25, 2016). "David Peralta's Relentless Push From Independent Ball to the Majors". New York Times. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  5. ^ Alfano, George (July 24, 2013). "Cal notes: Peralta shows perseverance". MLB.com.
  6. ^ Stavenhagen, Cody (June 15, 2013). "Hard-working Peralta makes transition to everyday player with Amarillo Sox". Amarillo Globe-News. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Fox Sports. "Scout's honor: The discovery of David Peralta". FOX Sports. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  8. ^ Heneghan, Kelsie (April 23, 2014). "Peralta's perseverance paying off for Mobile". MILB.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  9. ^ "Surgery for D-Backs' Pollock; Peralta called up". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 1, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  10. ^ "Arizona Diamondbacks on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  11. ^ Yahoo Sports
  12. ^ "Peralta's lobbying leads to debut as pitcher". MLB.com.
  13. ^ Rogers, Jesse (July 30, 2022). "Tampa Bay Rays acquire veteran outfielder David Peralta from Arizona Diamondbacks, sources say". ESPN. Retrieved July 30, 2022.
  14. ^ "Javier throws 6 strong innings, AL-best Astros beat Rays 2–1". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 1, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  15. ^ "David Peralta Minor, Winter & Independent Leagues Statistics".
  16. ^ Stephen, Eric (February 16, 2023). "Dodgers finalize contracts for David Peralta, Alex Reyes, and Jimmy Nelson". SB Nation. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  17. ^ "David Peralta Stats". Baseball Reference. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  18. ^ McDonald, Darragh (October 24, 2023). "David Peralta Undergoes Flexor Tendon Repair Procedure". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  19. ^ Sharkey-Gotlieb, Simon (February 19, 2024). "Report: Cubs sign Dom Smith, David Peralta to minor-league deals". The Score. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
  20. ^ "David Peralta Opts Out Of Cubs Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. May 13, 2024. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  21. ^ "Padres Sign David Peralta to Minor League Deal". May 18, 2024.
  22. ^ "Xander Bogaerts To Miss Significant Time Due To Shoulder Fracture". mlbtraderumors.com. May 22, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  23. ^ Schwartzberg, Max (August 18, 2024). "Behind David Peralta's offensive surge in Tatis Jr.'s absence". East Village Times. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  24. ^ "David Peralta Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  25. ^ "New Dad David Peralta: 'The best feeling ever'". Fox Sports. Retrieved December 22, 2017.