How Fast Is Freddy Peralta?
He throws it at an average of 93.4 mph, with a maximum speed of 97.6 mph. From hand to plate, he’ll be turning at a rate of 15.9 revolutions per minute (2370 RPM).
The closer a pitch is released to home plate, the less time the batter has to respond. The less time you have to react, the more effective the pitch will be.
It’s why a 70 mph softball pitch is referred to as the equivalent of a 100 mph fastball: you have the same amount of time to respond to both.
Peralta’s ability to consistently throw 92-93 mph heaters past Major League batters is explained by the same notion.
Freddy Peralta’s effective velocity was 2.1 MPH faster than his actual velocity, according to Baseball Savant another fantastic reference. In 2018, he shares the league lead with 6’8″ Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Tyler Glasnow.
6’6″ Steve Cishek, 6’5″ Kenley Jansen, and 6’1″ Yusmeiro Petit round out the top five in “Effective Velocity minus Actual Velocity.”
As a result, Peralta is nearly tied for first in the league in a category dominated by the league’s taller pitchers.
Peralta’s limbs are obviously shorter than Glasnow’s, Cishek’s, and Jansen’s, so how does his release point wind up so near to home plate?
At the finish of his delivery, Peralta appears to launch himself towards home plate, similar to the more intense delivery used by Carter Capps in 2015.
Peralta’s fastball averaged 92.7 mph. Although that isn’t a dominant velocity, Peralta dominated the Rockies.
Peralta’s deceptive technique undoubtedly played a role, but adding 2.1 miles per hour to his fastball has obvious ramifications.
Peralta was essentially throwing 94.8 mph fastballs with a deceptive release, keeping in mind perceived velocity and response times.
And, wow, a mid-90s fastball that bursts from the hand and has a deceptive delivery sounds a lot like Josh Hader’s early career success.