Ofelky Peralta

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #22 prospect in 2018
  Peralta, the recipient of the club's then-highest signing bonus to a Dominican player at $325,000 in 2013, has moved quickly since joining the organization and debuting stateside in 2015. He struck out nearly a batter per inning with a 4.01 ERA at low Class A Delmarva in 2016, but struggled in 2017 for high Class A Frederick, where he had a 5.33 ERA with 95 strikeouts and a Carolina League-high 86 walks in 101 innings. Peralta, a tall, projectable righthander, features a live, loose arm with a 90-95 mph that's presently plus. While he shows feel for a future-average changeup, and is now throwing a slider as his breaking ball, all of his pitches suffer from the lack of a repeatable delivery and arm slot. If the Orioles and Peralta are able to find mechanical consistency and the control that comes with it, he could project as a No. 4 starter. At age 20, there's no rush to move him off that track. Peralta is likely ticketed back to Frederick in hopes of finding that consistency in 2018.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #12 prospect in 2017
  The Orioles signed Peralta for $325,000 on Sept. 7, 2013 at the recommendation of international director Fred Ferreira, who saw the Dominican righthander throw for the first time that day in a showcase in San Pedro de Macoris. A raw pitcher with a live arm, Peralta spent 2014 in the Dominican Summer League and reached low Class A Delmarva in 2016, where he continued to show mid-90s velocity and a solid changeup. He typically pitches at 92-94 mph but shows a wide fastball velocity range, with readings in the high 80s early in games and 97 mph later. Pitching out of a simple, compact delivery, Peralta sometimes gets under the ball and drops his arm slot, which exacerbates his below-average control. His changeup is his bread-and-butter pitch and he throws it in all counts. Held to mostly five-inning outings in 2016, he gave up just three home runs in 103.1 innings, though he also walked 5.2 per nine innings. Peralta will need to decide whether his slider or curve is his third pitch moving forward. Considered very coachable, he should begin 2017 at high Class A Frederick.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #17 prospect in 2016
  Thie big, strong Peralta has an impressive right arm that needs more command and much more experience. Orioles international guru Fred Ferreira signed Peralta for $325,000 in September 2013, the same day he saw him throw for the first time during a showcase in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. Peralta moved to the U.S. and pitched in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League for the first time in 2015. He flashed mid-90s velocity in the Dominican Summer League in 2014 and worked between 93-96 mph in 2015. He uses a slider and changeup as his secondary pitches. As with a lot of young hard throwers, Peralta needs to more consistently repeat his mechanics. He made gains during instructional league. Working with Orioles pitching instructor Ramon Martinez, Peralta calmed his hands down a bit and made a few tweaks that provided better command of the strike zone. He'll try to carry that over in 2016, when he might have a shot to begin the year at low Class A Delmarva.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #29 prospect in 2015
  Peralta displayed mid-90s velocity during his pro debut in the Dominican Summer League in 2014, but he is very much a raw prospect who needs to improve his mechanics and control. Orioles international guru Fred Ferreira signed Peralta to a $325,000 bonus in September 2013 the same day he saw him throw for the first time during a showcase in San Pedro de Macoris. The Orioles found Peralta to be a likable, hard-working pitcher in 2014, but one who struggled to throw consistent strikes, with a walk rate of 6.9 per nine innings. He improved during the season, allowing only one earned run in his last 14 innings. A tall, lean 17-year-old, Peralta's fastball worked from 91-95 mph. He also throws a slider and changeup. He had problems repeating his delivery and getting his long arms and legs working together. The Orioles probably will move Peralta to the U.S. in 2015 and start him in extended spring, with a move to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in June.