Position: LF
Bats/Throws: L/L
Age: 8/14/1987 (34)

Traditional Stats: 77 G, 59 H, 11 HR, 37 RBI, .236 BA, .303 OBP
Advanced Stats: 0.5 WAR, .317 wOBA, 101 wRC+

Rundown

David Peralta is a very intriguing player in 2022. Peralta, also known as the “Freight Train,” once hit 30 home runs and hit .293 in 2018.

However, 2022 has not been as kind to Peralta. The Diamondbacks’ left fielder has been barreling balls up at a higher rate than ever. His 2022 barrels percentage according to FanGraphs is 11.9%. His previous career high was 7.5%, which was back in 2018. His hard-hit percentage is also at 45.4%, which is right around his career high.

So why are his stats not reflecting the clear increase in solid contact? His launch angle has almost tripled from his career average. Peralta’s highest launch angle was 8.3 degrees. In 2022, his launch angle has exploded to 16.9 degrees. A direct result of this is his fly-ball percentage, which has also skyrocketed compared to his career numbers.

Peralta’s career average fly-ball percentage is 29%. However, in 2022, it is all the way up to 45.4%, a career-high. To make matters worse, he is hitting the ball to center field at a rate higher than he ever has in his career. Playing 81 games at Chase Field, which has a center wall that stands 25 feet tall, is definitely not going to be good for someone hitting most of his balls in the air to center field.

Chase Field has massive dimensions in center field. In deep left and right center it stretches out to 413 feet. In dead center, it is 407 feet.

Comparatively, Citi Field’s deep left center field is 385 feet, deep right center is 398 feet, and center field is 408 feet. Peralta’s tendency to hit the ball to center field would likely yield more home runs at Citi Field, especially because he has been hitting the ball to left center a lot in 2022.

Defensively, Peralta has a -1 DRS in 2022. He fields his position very well, as he has only made two errors in 2022. On top of that, he also has two outfield assists.

Despite his solid glove, the Mets would likely throw Peralta platoon in left field with Mark Canha. They have the exact same DRS numbers, but if you dig deeper, Peralta’s outs above average (OAA) number is, well, above average (4), and Canha’s is neutral (0). Peralta would also see time at DH.

Package

Peralta would be quite the risk at the deadline. He is entering the final year of his contract, thus making him a rental. The Diamondbacks love him. He is a fan favorite and likely will require a bigger prospect haul than his numbers would entail. On top of that, the Mets would likely not bring him back in 2023.

There is also a strong likelihood that the Diamondbacks don’t even trade him at all.

That being said, the Mets could probably make this trade without parting ways with any top 10 prospects. The Diamondbacks are weakest at second base in the minor leagues, as well at catcher.

Carlos Cortes, Mets #15 prospect, could be the main name in this package. Another name the Mets could put in a deal would be catcher Nick Dini. Dini had a cup of tea with the Royals in 2019, as he appeared in 20 games that season. Other than that, he has spent all of his time since 2015 in the minors.

Thoughts

Acquiring David Peralta would likely not make much sense for the Mets. The Diamondbacks are probably not going to want to trade the fan-favorite player.

Peralta would likely slot into the DH role for the Mets if he were to be acquired. He is definitely not the best option the Mets have on the market, and he would barely be a step-up from Dominic Smith and J.D. Davis.

The Mets would be better served to take those prospects and use them in a trade with the Orioles for Trey Mancini.

However, if everyone else on the market is too expensive, and the Diamondbacks are willing to trade him at a good price, he could be worth taking a shot at. He is a leader in the clubhouse and brings positive energy wherever he goes. A player like that would jive well on this Mets team.