New mechanics pay dividends for Peralta
After a disappointing 2021 season, Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta focused his offseason around tweaking his mechanics at the plate. He did not have to wait long to get positive results.
Peralta homered on his first swing of Cactus League play on Saturday afternoon, slashing an opposite-field shot down the left-field line in the first inning at Tempe Diablo Stadium. He doubled in his next at-bat before striking out in his third and final trip to the plate.
Peralta said his changes were made in hopes of improving his timing, particularly on fastballs. He eliminated a pronounced leg kick in his swing and now employs a quieter, simplified toe-tap. He also appears to be standing less upright, instead using a more athleticlooking crouch.
“After the season that I had last year, I thought, ‘I need to change something,’” Peralta said.
He said he has Houston Astros outfielder Michael Brantley to thank for his adjustments. Both live in Port St. Lucie, Fla., and have worked out at the same gym for years. During the offseason, Peralta said he was at Brantley’s house, where he has an indoor batting cage, roughly five days a week.
“I was like, ‘Hey, I need your help,’” Peralta said. “He’s one of the nicest guys ever. He told me, ‘Yeah, I got you. Don’t worry.’ We started working at his house. We put in a lot of hard work and it’s paying off right now.”
Last year, Peralta posted pedestrian numbers across the board, hitting .259/ .325/.402 with just eight home runs. He hit more balls on the ground and fewer in the air, posting the second-lowest average launch angle of his career.
This year, Peralta is trying to get his foot down earlier in hopes of giving himself a better chance of reacting to whatever pitch he sees.
“I have quick hands and still have power in my hands, so that’s all I need to use,” he said. “I think what I’m doing right now, I’m able to stay behind the ball and make good contact with the ball.”
Peralta’s name has surfaced in connection to trade discussions for years, but when asked if he were expecting to be moved this winter, he said what he always has about that subject — that he doesn’t let himself think about it.
“I can’t think about that,” he said. “It’s going to be too much pressure on me, too many thoughts. I’m just going to leave everything on the field and do my best. If it’s time for me to go, then it is what it is. But I want to be here for the rest of my career.”
Bukauskas hurt
Right-hander J.B. Bukauskas hurt his shoulder during his spring debut on Thursday, manager Torey Lovullo said, an injury that could keep him out of action for months.
Lovullo said Bukauskas has a Grade 2
strain of his right teres major, comparing the injury to the one suffered last season by then-Diamondbacks reliever Taylor Clarke. Clarke’s injury forced him to spend close to eight weeks on the injured list.
“We’re talking in terms of months, not weeks,” Lovullo said of Bukauskas.
Bukauskas was part of the four-player package the Diamondbacks received from the Astros in the Zack Greinke trade in July 2019.
Short hops
Lovullo said right-hander Zac Gallen, who is slightly behind schedule due to offseason shoulder issues, felt good after his second bullpen session of camp and is expected to face hitters in a live batting practice setting in the coming days.
*Other than second baseman Ketel Marte, who has been limited during workouts due to left eye irritation, the rest of the Diamondbacks’ position player group in camp is expected to get into Cactus League games in the coming days. Several players made their spring debut on Saturday. In addition to Peralta, shortstop Nick Ahmed, first baseman Christian Walker, catcher Carson Kelly and outfielder Jordan Luplow saw their first action vs. the Angels.
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Angels 12, Diamondbacks 5 At Tempe Diablo Stadium
At the plate: The Diamondbacks, featuring a lineup that included everyday big leaguers for the first time this spring, put together a solid day at the plate, collecting 12 hits, two walks and a hit by pitch. LF David Peralta led the way with a home run and a double and his replacement, LF Cooper Hummel, was the only other player in the lineup to have a multi-hit game, going 2 for 2 with a pair of singles and two runs scored. 1B Christian Walker lined a run-scoring double to center in the third.
On the mound: RHP Dan Straily had a rough debut, giving up seven runs on nine hits in three innings. “I came in with the mind-set that I’m going to fill up the strike zone — and as (pitching coach) Brent (Strom) pointed out to me, I did that a little too well,” Straily said. “A lot of first-pitch hits, a lot of first-pitch hacking.” Straily is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation after signing a minor league deal. “You’re never proud of giving up runs; that’s never something that will set well with me,” he said. “But I think I’d be doing myself a big disservice if I lived and died by that outing right there.” Said manager Torey Lovullo: “I’ve seen him better in some backfield situations, some situations where the mixture of pitches is a little bit better. I think that’s what cost him today . ... We need to jump on that (and make adjustments) a little bit quicker.”
Sunday’s game: Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt vs. Royals TBA, 1:05 p.m., Surprise Stadium.