This year I be releasing my Top 25 Prospects in conjunction with the people over at Between the Green Pillars, which means the list is going to posted somewhat out of order to match up with what Ryan and Jay have for their Top 25. An up-to-date list of the Bernie's Crew Top 25 can be found at the bottom of each individual post.  There will be a new prospect posted each day both here at Bernie's Crew, and also over at Between the Green Pillars.  Each prospect overview will have thoughts from both blogs as well.  Be sure to check back daily!  

Wily Peralta

Born: 5/8/1989
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 225 lbs
Throws: R

Wily has been one of the hottest names in the Brewers organization this season.  Not bad for a right-hander who only threw just 34.1 innings in 2008 for Helena and West Virginia.  He posted a 1-2 record with a 4.19 ERA in 2008 between the Rookie League and Class-A.  It is not difficult to understand why Peralta is garnering so much hype.  The 19-year old has a mid-90s heater with an absolutely nasty slider.  His changeup is improving, but it still has a way to go.  Even if that change does not develop into a league-average pitch, his fastball-slider combo could still propel him to the big leagues as a set-up man or closer.

His filthy stuff helped him earn a 3.07 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP and a stellar 11.0 K/9 in Helena.  That tremendous strikeout rate can be attributed to his slider, which is extremely advanced for his age.  It arguably already is a major-league, above-average pitch.  Also in Helena, Wily showed wonderful control.  In 29.1 innings, the right-hander only walked 2.5 batters per nine innings and only allowed 1.2 home runs per nine innings.  These solid peripheral stats regressed in Class-A West Virginia, however.  While it was a small sample size, Peralta's strikeout rate dropped to 5.4 K/9, and his walk rate jumped to 5.4 BB/9.  His ERA was an unsightly 10.80, but keep in mind this was only in 5 innings of work.  It is also concerning that Wily showed a huge fly ball rate in West Virginia.  This should be tempered by the solid 1.68 GO/AO ratio posted in Helena, but it is certainly something to keep an eye on. 

The real test for Wily will be whether or not he can find his control again with the Appleton Timber Rattlers.  Without his fastball control, his slider becomes an afterthought because it is almost strictly a strikeout pitch.  Still, there is an awful lot to like about Peralta.  He has a very live arm and has the potential to make a lot of batters whiff in the big leagues.  Many even believe he has the best arm in the system after Jeremy Jeffress and Omar Aguilar.  That is a lot of praise.  Let's hope he lives up to it in Appleton next season.  Either way, he is a long way from the big league squad.  I want to see a little more from Wily before skyrocketing him up the charts.

POTENTIAL: B+
CHANCE OF REACHING POTENTIAL: C-
PROJECTED ARRIVAL: 2012
OVERALL: C+

Jim's Ranking: 22

Bernie's Crew Top 25 Prospects