Gold Glove Peralta Retires After 11-Year MLB Career with D-backs

This blog post takes a look at the recent retirement of David Peralta, the Venezuelan outfielder whose 11-year Major League career left a mark on several franchises—especially the Arizona Diamondbacks.

We’ll explore his journey from MLB debut to his offensive and defensive highlights. Let’s reflect on the impact he made and his heartfelt farewell to the sport he loved.

David Peralta Hangs Up His Cleats: A Diamond of a Career

After 11 seasons patrolling the outfield with power, precision, and a whole lot of heart, David Peralta, the veteran Venezuelan outfielder, has called it a career in Major League Baseball. At 38, and having sat out the 2025 season, Peralta hopped on social media to say goodbye to the game, closing the book on a run that made him a fan favorite and a respected pro.

Peralta kicked off his MLB journey with the Arizona Diamondbacks, spending a solid nine seasons there and carving out a spot in the franchise’s history. He later suited up for the Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres, showing every clubhouse what a steady, valuable presence looks like. It’s always a little tough to see a player like him walk away.

A Batting Average to Remember: Peralta’s Offensive Prowess

Throughout his career, David Peralta kept up a .278 batting average—a sign of his steady approach at the plate. He brought consistency year after year, but there were definitely stretches where “The Freight Train” lived up to his nickname, smashing hard-hit balls all over the park.

His best work at the plate came in 2018. That season, Peralta hit a strong .293, showing he could combine average and power. He also cranked out a career-high 30 home runs and racked up 87 RBIs, taking home a Silver Slugger award. That year, he really proved he could be a force in the National League.

Back in 2015, just his second big-league season, he hit .312 and led all of MLB with 10 triples. That early burst showed off his speed and his knack for extra-base hits.

Beyond the Bat: Gold Glove Defense and Team Contributions

Peralta’s glove mattered just as much as his bat. In 2019, right after his Silver Slugger season, he shined defensively and snagged a Gold Glove award for his work in the outfield.

That achievement really spotlighted his all-around skill set and his commitment to every part of the game. He could do it all—hit, field, run, throw, and bring energy to the clubhouse.

Peralta’s leadership and work ethic often drew praise from teammates and coaches. Even as his career wound down, he found ways to contribute, hitting .259 with the Dodgers in 2023 and batting .267 in 91 games for the Padres in 2024. Not bad at all for a guy in his late thirties.

A Farewell to the Game: Gratitude and Legacy

In his retirement announcement, David Peralta shared deep gratitude for the organizations that shaped his career. He called out the Arizona Diamondbacks for giving him his first shot in MLB.

That kind of shoutout hits home for a lot of players who remember their beginnings with a certain team. Peralta also thanked the Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Diego Padres for the time he spent with them.

It says a lot about the guy—he played with heart and respected every jersey he wore. Peralta’s legacy stands out for a few reasons:

* His remarkable 2018 Silver Slugger season.
* That 2019 Gold Glove defense—just exceptional.
* Leading the majors in triples back in 2015.
* A steady .278 career batting average.
* His professionalism and real dedication to the game.

Peralta heads into retirement with a career full of memorable moments. Fans and teams who watched him play won’t forget his impact anytime soon.
 
Here is the source article for this story: Ex-D-backs slugger, Gold Glover Peralta retires