The Rockies’ youth movement continued Monday with the trade of veteran left-hander Jalen Beeks to Pittsburgh for promising Double-A lefty prospect Luis Peralta.
Peralta, 23, from Moca, Dominican Republic, has had an excellent season. He has posted a 4-0 record, with five saves and a 0.91 ERA over 26 appearances (39 2/3 innings) at High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona. He has 64 strikeouts vs. 18 walks. His 41% strikeout rate ranks eighth among all minor league pitchers (minimum 30 innings pitched).
“We think it’s a good get for us,” Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said. “Peralta has really made some strides since he was converted from a starter to a reliever.”
The lefty is a fastball/slider pitcher with a fastball that sits about 94 mph but can touch 96.
In six professional seasons, Peralta is 9-19 with eight saves, a 4.20 ERA, 157 walks and 360 strikeouts in 110 appearances (44 starts). Pittsburgh originally signed him as a non-drafted international free agent on July 3, 2017.
He is the brother of Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta.
“Like a lot of young players, he was hit by COVID in 2020 and that slowed him a bit, especially coming out of the Dominican,” Schmidt said. “But he’s really improved over the last two seasons. We’ll see how it turns out, but we’re excited about his potential.”
Beeks, 31, has been Colorado’s most versatile reliever and was often used in the closer role. He’s 6-4 with a 4.74 ERA and nine saves in 16 chances. Beeks is eligible for free agency after this season.
“Jalen did a great job for us,” Schmidt said. “He did everything we asked and filled a variety of roles.”
Beeks has been excellent against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .182 average and just one home run.
He gives Pittsburgh a much-needed left-hander in its bullpen. The Pirates have not had a reliable left-hander all season, except for lefty Aroldis Chapman, who is a late-inning arm and is rarely used for left-on-left matchups.
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Originally Published: July 29, 2024 at 7:51 p.m.
