Freddy Peralta Is A Key To Brewers Early Success

The Milwaukee Brewers are off to a surprisingly fantastic part. A big reason for their early success is first-time ace Freddy Peralta. So far, despite the inexperience, Peralta has been lights out. Peralta has also picked up quality starts in two out of the three games he’s pitched in. In those three games, the Brewers are also undefeated whenever he takes the mound. A big reason why the Milwaukee Brewers are off to a surprisingly fast start is how well Freddy Peralta is pitching right now.

Freddy Peralta Is Named The Ace

During the offseason, Milwaukee traded away former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes to the Orioles. While they did eventually bring back Brandon Woodruff, he would be missing most of this season due to shoulder surgery. With Burnes being traded and Woodruff lost for most of the year, this meant that Freddy Peralta would be at the top of the rotation. Before he was named the ace, Peralta had always worked behind either Burnes or Woodruff as the third starter. Given his inexperience, there were a lot of questions surrounding the 27-year-old starter.

Milwaukee Had Many Key Losses This Offseason

Expectations were also relatively low for the defending NL Central champions. This past offseason, besides losing Burnes, Milwaukee said goodbye to many longtime veterans and other key players. However, those departures were hardly the most painful thing to happen to the Brewers during the offseason. Milwaukee’s most successful and longtime manager Craig Counsell departed the team for the arch-rival Chicago Cubs. Counsell’s departure was unforgivable to both the Brewers and their fans.

Freddy Peralta Success Is Helping The Brewers Surprise Everyone

Despite the many key losses, Milwaukee seems to be picking up right where it left off. They are currently battling the equally surprising Pittsburgh Pirates for first place in the NL Central. A big reason for that is Peralta silencing the critics. He is currently 2-0 and has an ERA of 2.55, 26 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 0.68. The Brewers are also 3-0 whenever Peralta starts. Not bad for a guy who had been only a number three starter before this season.

The Brewers Expect Him To Be A Leader

While the 27-year-old is off to a great start, expectations are only going to get higher. Milwaukee expects him to be a leader as the rotation is significantly different than in years past. The only returning starters from last year were Colin Rea and Wade Miley. However, both Rea and Miley are taking on significantly more responsibility than last season. Out of everybody in the rotation, the one-time all-star knows how to be successful in the big leagues. His biggest test will be weathering the adversity that is going to happen to the team this season.

Freddy Peralta Can Help The Brewers Continue To Shock Everyone

Despite his inexperience, the 27-year-old has handled his new role well. Making the jump from a number three starter to the ace isn’t easy. Freddy Peralta is a big reason why the Brewers are having success early this season. He seems to have been able to find the stuff that made him an All-Star in 2021. Peralta’s time as the Brewers’ number three starter has served him and the team. If Peralta keeps up his hot start, Milwaukee will have an opportunity to surprise the entire baseball world.

For more on baseball, check out Belly Up Sports and follow Eric on Twitter. Featured Image: Getty Images