For the Dodgers, David Peralta Has Been One of the Best Signings of the Offseason
No one thought much of it when the Dodgers signed outfielder David Peralta just before spring training.
The Dodgers definitely needed some outfield help, but it was unclear what the 35-year-old would really bring. This just felt like another one of those bargain-bin signings that the Dodgers had made, and somewhat of a consolation to their fans after missing out on all the winter’s top free agents.
Well, if it was a consolation, it turned out to be a pretty darn good one.
Peralta got off to a slow start this year, but since May, he’s really turned things around. Since June, he’s been on an absolute tear.
Through April, in 69 plate appearances, Peralta was slashing just .167/.188/.227.
In 67 plate appearances in May, however, Peralta slashed a much-improved .295/.343/.443.
And through 60 plate appearances of June — with two games still to go — Peralta is currently slashing .375/.417/.589 with three home runs, after hitting two in the first two months of the year combine.
Peralta has raised his average an incredible 45 points this month as of June 29, and is currently slashing .273/.311/.410. Talk about a midseason turnaround.
Peralta has turned into a true hitting machine in the middle of the Dodgers lineup, and has added a huge boost behind the soon-to-be-All-Stars at the top of the lineup.
Additionally, he’s been an above-average left fielder, with four defensive runs saved about average at this point in the year. He also has one outfield assist, and just one error.
Finally, Peralta’s biggest impact may not even be felt on the field, as he’s been an incredible presence in the locker room, and has truly brought some energy to the clubhouse and dugout.
The Dodgers very quickly adopted his freight train ‘Choo Choo’ celebration, and he’s always having fun in the dugout.
The chemistry of this Dodgers team is as good as it’s been in years, and Peralta and the rest of the veterans are a huge reason why.
So between that and the incredible numbers he’s been putting up as of late, Peralta would be worth it no matter what he was being paid this season. The fact that he’s being paid just $6.5 million is the icing on the cake.
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