Freddy Peralta’s Playoff Fastball Gains 2.6 MPH

Freddy Peralta’s four-seam fastball has averaged 96.9 mph across four postseason appearances, compared with 94.3 mph in the regular season, according to Statcast pitch records highlighted by MLB.com on Sunday.

MLB.com ranked the 2.6 mph increase second since 2008 among pitchers with at least 75 postseason four-seamers.

The playoff sample comprises 173 four-seamers from three starts and one relief appearance. Removing the six from his ALCS Game 4 relief outing leaves 167 pitches and a 96.9 mph average, rounded to one decimal place. The regular-season comparison includes 1,568 four-seamers with release-speed readings.

The right-hander’s velocity had already drawn attention in ALCS Game 2, when he struck out six over six scoreless innings against Cleveland. He averaged 96.9 mph with his fastball that night and reached 99.4 mph.

Tampa Bay acquired Peralta from the Mets during the season. His next assignment is World Series Game 3 against Milwaukee on Monday at Tropicana Field.

Sources: MLB.com’s October 25 Statcast analysis; Baseball Savant pitch records; Associated Press reporting on Peralta’s ALCS Game 2 start. Related: Peralta’s changeup use and contact in ALCS Game 6.