WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Freddy Peralta is ready.
The new Mets ace will start Opening Day and looked good on Saturday over four innings, allowing one run against the Astros.
He still has one season left before the regular season starts.
The right-hander’s swing and miss was evident in an 8-2 loss to Houston at the Ballpark in the Palm Beaches.
And even though his velocity was well off the norm — about 1 mph off most of his pitches, Peralta didn’t care.
“Everything is getting where I want it to be,” Peralta said.” “I don’t look at my speed. I know myself. I know how I work when I enter the season and the intensity of the game is where I really am. I know what I have to do.”
That’s true, he said, even if he’s pitching every five or six days, since the Mets can use a six-man rotation.
Manager Carlos Mendoza previously said Peralta would be the one to start the program but said that could change, depending on the team’s needs.
Peralta added Saturday that he would be OK with putting in more rest, as long as it was informed in advance.
“No problem,” said Peralta. “I’ve been in that situation before – years. I know I can handle it.”
Peralta conveys that attitude and throwing IQ to other Mets starters, including Christian Scott.
The 26-year-old, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, made his second appearance of the spring on Tuesday as he returns to major league form.
With a rotation likely filled by Peralta, Clay Holmes, Kodai Senga, Nolan McLean, Sean Manaea and David Peterson, Scott is trying to get as much as he can out of Peralta while they’re in camp together.
He’s not alone in that effort, as Peralta comes from the Brewers highly regarded, successful and willing to pass on his wisdom.
And Scott believes he is uniquely qualified to be Peralta’s disciple.
“I want to pick his brain all season for anything I can learn,” Scott said.
“I know you attack a lot of guys,” Scott said. “That’s his calling card. For me, as a pitcher, that’s what I strive to do: Throw out top guys. I watch the tour and his delivery is a lot better than some guys, but to be able to go out there and do it and start year after year and be able to stay healthy, it’s impressive. I try to be the same way.”
Scott has only nine major league starts to his name, but he struck out eight batters in six innings in his second start with the Mets in 2024.
Peralta, as Scott noted, has shown the ability to be productive and reliable.
Over the past three seasons, the 29-year-old has made at least 30 starts, had more than 200 strikeouts and made two All-Star teams.
And Scott knows it’s not just about the talent, which is why he’s been monitoring Peralta all spring, even during the start, to see what he can learn.
“The first thing is he’s the same guy every day on the field,” Scott said. “You know what you’re going to get from him. I feel like that’s underrated, especially during the season. I’ve seen how high the highs can be and how low they can be. He’s gone through all the seasons and been an All-Star. It’s nice to see a guy like that, who stays consistent day in and day out.”
And Scott knows the work it takes to make that happen.
“His athleticism with his pitching system is very consistent,” Scott said. “It’s like he hits the glove with every pitch, every time he’s there. I’ll go by and say ‘That’s good’ and he’ll laugh, but mine’s not good.”
You work on it.
