The proof is in the pudding: It’s David Peralta’s world, we’re just living in it

To say that Arizona Diamondbacks left fielder David Peralta has been in a rhythm as of late would be a disservice to the guy who has been arguably the D-backs’ best hitter since becoming a regular in the lineup last month.

More accurately, post-June 23 David Peralta is more akin to Superman wielding a baseball bat infused with lightning and god particles; a man with no discernible weakness (at least on planet Earth) and possessing an uncanny ability to be all things at all times for a team that continues to stalk the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, sitting six and a half games out of first place in the NL West.

Since June 23, and including Tuesday night’s 13-1 bludgeoning of Philadelphia, Peralta has compiled a list of numbers so gaudy that even Russell Westbrook’s fashion consultant would blush.

In 40 games, Peralta has reached base via hit or walk 27 times, hitting safely in 32 of those contests, while batting .364 (52-for-143) with eight doubles, seven triples, six home runs and 32 RBI.

Among NL players since June 23, Peralta ranked first entering the day in batting average on balls in play (.450) and triples (7), second in average (.360) and OPS (1.055), third in total bases (87) and fifth in on-base percentage (.429).

In his 21 home games since June 29, Peralta is hitting .387 (27-for-71) with four doubles, five triples, three homers and 20 RBI.

If you take “What have you done for me lately” to the extreme, or are simply a difficult person to impress, Peralta has you covered there, as well. On the heels of his 2-for-4 effort with a home run and a career-high five RBI Tuesday, Peralta, in his last three games, is batting .714 (10-for-14) and is 13-for-24 (.542) in the midst of a six-game hitting streak.  He’s also reached base safely in each of his last 12 starts and is batting .542 with 16 RBI in his last 15 games with runners in scoring position.

After posting a .329 batting average in July, the 27-year-old Venezuelan is batting .444 in August, including 12-for-20 (.600) with two doubles, 10 RBI, a walk and three runs scored over the span of the D-backs’ current homestand.

If you somehow remain unconvinced of Peralta’s effect on this team of late, look no further than his grand slam in the second inning of Tuesday’s game.  The round-tripper was not only a significant part of an 11-run frame for the D-backs, but was a play that also effectively torpedoed whatever hope the Phillies had of getting back into the game, extending Arizona’s lead to 8-1.

Of course, all good things are bound to come to and end, but for now, this big blue rock spinning in outer space belongs to one David Peralta.  All we can do is bear witness with mouth agape, applauding the stellar effort of a master at work.