Milwaukee Brewers: Should Freddy Peralta stay in the rotation?

Freddy Peralta certainly rose to the occasion on Sunday afternoon. He made his Major League debut in Coors Field on Mother’s Day with his family in attendance, and dominated. Should Peralta stay in the Milwaukee Brewers rotation for the foreseeable future?

The Milwaukee Brewers needed a quality start from Freddy Peralta on Sunday. Peralta’s debut was historic for all the right reasons. Peralta recorded 17 outs with 13 coming via strikeout. He kept the Colorado Rockies off the scoreboard for 5 2/3 innings in Coors Field. He allowed only one hit and two walks. Peralta threw 98 pitches with 60 finding the strike zone.

Should Peralta get another start?

Yes. Unquestionably. Peralta deserves at least another start if not a run with the Major League rotation. The Milwaukee Brewers had depth in the rotation, but it’s being tested right now.

Jimmy Nelson is on the shelf for a few more months, and Chase Anderson is on the shelf for a few more days. Zach Davies is finally playing catch again, and remains out with a shoulder injury. Wade Miley is on the 60-day DL with an oblique strain. The Brewers need starters.

Jhoulys Chacin and Junior Guerra are the most experienced starters on the roster. Brent Suter and Brandon Woodruff have yet to find the consistency that the Milwaukee Brewers need in their rotation. Peralta showed more in his start than Suter or Woodruff have shown this season. Peralta deserves to stick around, even if that means Suter or Woodruff head to the bullpen or Triple-A.

How did Peralta really do on Sunday?

He threw fastballs almost exclusively. Of his 98 pitches, he threw only five sliders and three change-ups. Only one of his non-fastballs went for a strike. He topped out just under 95 MPH, and averaged 91.4 MPH on his fastball all afternoon.

His pitch usage indicates a potential problem if he continues at the Major League level. While his fastball was impressive on Sunday, he’s essentially a one-pitch pitcher. Unless he develops a workable secondary pitches, he’s going to eventually struggle to get hitters out. They can sit on the fastball and not worry about the breaking pitches. The Colorado Rockies didn’t have a ‘book’ on Peralta, but the next team that he faces will.

When will Peralta make his next start?

It sounds like he’ll get another shot next weekend against the Minnesota Twins. It looks like the Milwaukee Brewers will welcome Anderson back as soon as he’s eligible to come off the 10-day DL. When he comes back, the Brewers will have to make a move. It certainly sounds like Suter or Woodruff are the odd men out, but Jorge Lopez could also get sent down.

Next: Why did Chase Anderson require a DL stint?

The Milwaukee Brewers have options the can go with. Peralta’s Major League debut was awesome, and they might get another start or two out of Peralta, but he’s not a long-term option at this point.