Game 2 of the 2025 NLCS ended on a somber note. The 5–1 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers not only put the Milwaukee Brewers at a disadvantage in the series — it was also Freddy Peralta’s final appearance in the Brewers’ yellow and green.
Peralta fought for 5 2/3 innings, allowing three earned runs against an unstoppable Dodgers team. When he walked off the mound that night, few thought it was a farewell. But the 2025–26 offseason took an unexpected turn: Peralta was traded to the New York Mets for prospects Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams.
A shock. Not just because of Peralta’s name, but because the Brewers had just enjoyed a 97-win season — a franchise record. The team, built on stability, depth, and consistency, was now facing a significant void at the start of its rotation.
And when Freddy left, a quiet question arose internally: did Milwaukee already have another Peralta?
His name was Sammy Peralta.
On the surface, the numbers weren’t convincing. Career ERA of 5.12. In the 2025 season, he only played five games, ERA 7.59. No headlines, no high expectations. But the Brewers were never one to look at the surface.
According to Baseball Savant, Sammy Peralta is the type of pitcher with the potential to… refine. His main weapon is the slider — 74 throws last season, averaging 80.9 mph, with a large break and the highest strikeout rate in the repertoire. He also has a sinker and changeup, both in the low-80s, but not yet effectively utilized. The four-seamer and sweeper are almost exclusively there to complete the set.
The issue isn’t what he has, but how he uses it.
Pitching coach Chris Hook is known for his ability to “restructure” pitchers considered to be at a disadvantage. With Sammy Peralta, the problem is clear: the fastball needs to be more reliable, the changeup needs to be redefined—from grip and release point to zone positioning. Without a fastball capable of distracting, every slider will be read quickly.
More importantly, it’s about sequence and mentality. Pitch tunneling, pitching rhythm, and how to lead aggressive hitters—things not shown on the ERA chart but that determine how long a pitcher survives in MLB.
The Brewers understand the risks. Sammy Peralta isn’t an immediate solution to losing Freddy. They don’t even expect him to take on a major role right away. The most realistic approach is to have him in less pressure situations: when the team is already deep in the lead, when clean innings are needed, when the bullpen needs someone to set the tempo.
This isn’t a fairy tale of an overnight breakout. This is the story of an organization’s patience and a pitcher at a career crossroads. With too few MLB games left to conclude, the Brewers chose to try—quickly, without fanfare or promises.
Freddy Peralta left Milwaukee, taking an era with him. But behind the scenes, another Peralta lurked, waiting to see if this small chance would be enough to change the course of his life.
And that’s what makes this story worth following.
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