PORT ST. LUCIE — Freddy Peralta threw a bullpen session Monday to his major catcher for the first time this spring, under the watch of the team’s new pitching coach.
There is much newness to the Mets, to which the ace right-hander is a major factor.
But now comes the other facet of it, as Peralta begins the acclimation course of to his new team.
Some introductions won’t be needed: Peralta had Tobias Myers, Devin Williams and Tyrone Taylor as teammates with the Brewers.
Many others have become acquaintances over his eight main league seasons.
His publicity to the team’s pitching group, headed by new pitching coach Justin Willard, was quick following the commerce that despatched Peralta and Myers from Milwaukee on Jan. 21 for Brandon Sproat and Jett Williams.
And upon arriving to camp, Peralta said he’s been impressed with the quantity of info he’s been offered.
“When I got over here, they knew all my stuff and a lot of things that I got surprised by, but that’s good,” Peralta said.
Freddy Peralta throws a bullpen session during spring coaching Feb. 9. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
Those surprises have included studying about the development of his slider over the previous 4 seasons, and how incessantly he’s used the pitch, down to his most well-liked grips.
The objective isn’t to change Peralta — who completed fifth in the National League Cy Young Award voting last season after pitching to a 2.70 ERA in 33 begins for the Brewers — but to inform him.
“It’s been very comfortable, because they have been asking me how I do things and how I do my stuff, what I have been doing and we just communicate all that,” Peralta said. “We have been working together. It’s not like, ‘We have this new idea, and I think you can do this now.’ It’s been very nice and easy. I feel happy about that because they are not trying to change somebody. They are just trying to communicate and it will help to keep me doing what I have been doing.”
Peralta expects a seamless transition throwing primarily to Francisco Alvarez, who tops the Mets depth chart at catcher.
Luis Torrens also has intensive expertise as the team’s major backup.
“[Alvarez] has got a lot of energy, a lot of potential and I saw that before I became his teammate and I am very excited to see what we’re going to accomplish together,” Peralta said. “We had some conversations already, he caught my bullpen at present and it was nice. I think the relationship we are going to have is very vital.
“But I think I am pretty easy to know, too. I don’t think it’s going to take that long, probably, but hopefully we get to know each other right before the end of spring training. That’s all we need, but I think it’s not going to take that long.”
Freddy Peralta throws on the subject during spring coaching on Feb. 9. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post
Peralta, Nolan McLean, Sean Manaea, Clay Holmes, David Peterson and Kodai Senga are the most important rotation items, with depth choices Jonah Tong and Christian Scott in the combine.
Peralta, an early arrival to camp, said his first days in the clubhouse have been welcoming.
“I know a lot of guys here and we’ve never played together, but we have been seeing each other during the season and we’ve been playing many times and it’s awesome, man,” Peralta said. “I have been getting a lot of love from everybody.”
Peralta is not collaborating in the World Baseball Classic this spring, instead pouring his vitality into his first camp with the Mets.
“I’m just focusing on what I need to do and meeting everybody,” Peralta said. “Get my workouts done and try to stay healthy.”
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