Continuing our look at 2016 September call-up rookies, we move into some of the more obscure names this evening, beginning with left-hander Wandy Peralta of the Cincinnati Reds. Note that "obscure" doesn't mean "bad" or untalented. Sometimes guys simply sneak up on us; this is particularly true for pitchers and Peralta is a good example.
Peralta is from the Dominican Republic, signed by the Reds as a free agent back in 2009. He spent two years in the Dominican Summer League then moved up to the Arizona Rookie League for 2012, where he posted a 6.55 ERA in 45 innings. In 2013 he was used mainly as a reliever in the Midwest League and posted a 3.80 ERA in 85 innings. He returned to starting in 2014 and 2015 but struggled, particularly with his command. He posted a 5.09 ERA in 117 innings in Double-A last year with a 80/60 K/BB.
The Reds moved him back to the bullpen this year with stronger results: a combined 2.50 ERA in 76 innings between Double-A and Triple-A with a 58/26 K/BB and 61 hits allowed.
Peralta is a 6-0, 210 southpaw born July 27, 1991. As a starter he worked at 89-94 but has been in the mid-90s in the bullpen, clocked as high as 97 during his September trial so far. He makes frequent use of a mid-80s change-up and it seems solid enough, but his breaking ball (described as either a hard curve or a slider depending on the source) is inconsistent, as is his general sense of command and control. He's actually had reverse platoon splits the last two seasons, which often indicates that the pitcher needs to tighten his breaking stuff.
As a lefty who throws hard, Peralta has plenty of opportunity to get noticed if he can throw more strikes.