Today In Brewer History: Happy Anniversary, Wily Peralta

On this day in 2005 the Brewers signed 16-year-old Dominican right hander Wily Peralta as an amateur free agent. He was still only 17 when he made his pro debut as a member of the AZL Brewers, and has steadily climbed the ladder ever since:

• He split 2008 between rookie Helena and low-A West Virginia.
• He spent 2009 as a Wisconsin Timber Rattler (low-A).
• He split 2010 between Brevard County (high-A) and Huntsville (AA).
• He reached AAA Nashville for the first time in 2011, and pitched there again in 2012.

After posting a 3.99 ERA and striking out 8.5 batters per nine innings over 139 minor league appearances Peralta made his major league debut in relief in April and his first major league start on September 5. He carried a 2.25 ERA over five September starts, striking out 22 batters while walking just eleven over 28 innings. It remains to be seen if Peralta will open the 2013 season in the Brewer rotation, but if he sticks with the team the 23-year-old probably has a solid chance to be NL Rookie of the Year.

With help from the B-Ref Play Index, happy birthday today to Hall of Famer and 1901 Milwaukee Brewer Hugh Duffy. He would have turned 146. We covered his birthday in this space last year.