After Tampa Bay finished off the Cleveland Guardians and punched their ticket to the Fall Classic, the Rays took the stage for the trophy ceremony, and when Kevin Cash announced Freddy Peralta — who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Mets after a rough start to the year, bought into the Rays adjustments, and delivered when it mattered most — as the winner, the look on the Dominican-born former All Star’s face was one of shock and joy, reactions equally perfect for the moment.
This was the
ultimate redemption arc.
After posting a near-5.00 ERA in 22 starts with New York, Peralta found new life in St. Petersburg. The Rays made mechanical adjustments (pitching from the stretch, speeding up his delivery, and emphasizing leg drive to improve the direction of his hips) and the results were immediate. He went 5-2 with a 3.25 ERA in 10 regular-season starts for Tampa Bay, earned AL Pitcher of the Month in September, and then carried that form into October.
The right-hander was credited two wins while allowing just one earned run across the ALCS, logging key innings in three of the Rays’ four victories, including as the starter in the Game 6 clincher.
Throughout the ALCS, he was “Fastball Freddy” at his finest, pumping 98+ mph and elevating the talent and spirit of the clubhouse. As great of a pitcher Freddy is today, he is seemingly an even better person. But this award has an additional bit of magic.
Freddy Peralta spent years as a Milwaukee Brewers mainstay, having led the National League in wins in 2025 for the Brew Crew, and then navigated a turbulent 2026 to reach this moment. Now the Rays head to the World Series to face the Brewers in a matchup of clubs still chasing their first title. And in a fitting twist of fate, it’s former Rays first baseman Jake Bauers who was named MVP for the Brewers to bring these two franchises to this moment. It’s difficult to write a better script than that.
Whatever happens next, Freddy Peralta’s ALCS performance will be remembered as the turning point of Tampa Bay’s run: from trade-deadline project to series MVP in a matter of months.
So tonight, raise a glass (or a fastball) to Fastball Freddy. The American League champion Rays wouldn’t be here without him.
