David Peralta is among the Los Angeles Dodgers players who advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2023 World Baseball after Team Venezuela defeated Nicaragua, 4-1, earlier this week.
Venezuela finished pool play with a perfect 4-0 record, and Peralta has been a major part of the country’s success thus far. The veteran outfielder hit .400/.538/.600 with two doubles and four RBI, and also drew three walks without striking out in 10 at-bats.
In addition to his production at the plate, Peralta is a well-respected leader in the Venezuela clubhouse. The WBC has reunited him with former Arizona Diamondbacks teammate Eduardo Escobar. They played together for parts of four seasons.
At various points during the WBC, Peralta has played pranks on Escobar by capitalizing on his fear of cats.
Escobar is on the record of being afraid of cats, and in one instance, quickly bolted to the back of the clubhouse when he believed Peralta was carrying one.
Escobar is entering his second season with the New York Mets, while Peralta joined the Dodgers on a one-year contract during the offseason.
The 35-year-old went 1-for-14 in six Cactus League games before joining Venezuela for the WBC. He hit a combined .251/.316/.415 with 30 doubles, 12 home runs and 59 RBI between the Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays last season.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team views Peralta as a platoon option in left field and will likely receive most of his opportunities against right-handed pitching.
Dodgers who advanced to quarterfinals of WBC
In addition to Peralta, Mookie Betts and Will Smith (Team USA), and Austin Barnes and Julio Urías (Team Mexico) advanced to the WBC quarterfinals.
Barnes and Urías remained alive in the tournament with Mexico earning a thrilling comeback win against Puerto Rico on Friday night.
However, international play will come to an end Saturday for Betts and Smith, or Peralta, as the United States faces Venezuela. The winner advances to the semifinals for a matchup against Cuba.
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