D-backs’ manager Chip Hale is impressed with David Peralta’s improved swing
Aug 11, 2015, 3:34 PM
Arizona Diamondbacks' David Peralta, right, is greeted by third base coach Andy Green (14) after hitting a home run against the San Diego Padres during the third inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 28, 2015, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
(AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
The Arizona Diamondbacks have found their protection for Paul Goldschmidt.
D-backs outfielder David Peralta has taken control of the clean-up spot in the batting order, providing ample protection for the team’s MVP candidate.
In 50 games and 47 starts batting fourth, Peralta is hitting .331 (58-for-175) with 11 doubles, three triples, six home runs and 34 RBI.
D-backs manager Chip Hale acknowledged Peralta’s bat Tuesday as a guest on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM’s Burns & Gambo. The skipper said his superstar first baseman has been seeing better pitches because of Peralta’s consistency.
“Yes, no doubt about it,” Hale said. “The setback as what you just said, he didn’t start the month as hot as he did, so these teams that are coming in and not as familiar with our club, see his numbers are not overwhelming in his last 10, 15 at-bats so they are going to come after him a little more until he hurts them.”
The number-four spot in the D-backs line-up has been better than most people have given it credit for. As a group, the fourth hitter has batted .313 with 50 extra base hits and 70 RBI this season.
As a group, the fourth hitter in the D-backs lineup has gone .313 with 50 extra base hits and 70 RBI this season. But if you take Peralta’s stats out of the equation, the average drops to .264 with 34 RBI.
Hale said the biggest reason for Peralta’s consistency is the ethic shown by the second-year player and a willingness to tweak his swing.
“He has improved so much as a hitter this season with his approach,” Hale said. “(Turner) Ward and (Mark) Grace have worked extremely hard with him.
“If you remember earlier in the year, his power was to the pool side and now you are seeing it more to the center and left field. He is realizing how pitchers are attacking him with what they are going to come after him with after they walk Goldy. They are not going to just lay one in there for him, so he has had to shorten his swing and try to do less with the ball, which in turn has made his bat extremely quick and the ball is jumping off his bat.”
Since June 23, Peralta has hit safely in 31 of 39 games while batting .360 (50-for-139) with eight doubles, seven triples, five home runs and 27 RBI. He also ranks first in batting average on balls in play (.450) and triples with seven.
