Poor Jhonny Peralta. It's not often a guy can have a career year and fly under the radar, but that's what the Tigers' shortstop did last season.
Fortunately for Peralta, some people were paying attention, including his manager.
"It wasn't anybody's fault, but I thought he really got slighted in how good we were last year," manager Jim Leyland said earlier this spring. "I can understand because Victor (Martinez) had a huge year, Alex (Avila) had a huge year, (Miguel) Cabrera had a huge year, (Justin) Verlander had a huge year, (Doug) Fister came over and had a big year. But Jhonny Peralta was pretty darn good from day one to me."
All Peralta did was hit a career-high .299 with 21 home runs (second to his career best of 24 in 2005) and 86 RBIs (second to his career best of 89 in 2008). He also played in the All-Star Game for the first time.
In a clubhouse of some big personalities, Peralta is one of the quiet ones. He does all his talking on the field.
"It doesn't bother me," Peralta said of the lack of attention. "I know Verlander and Cabrera did a really good job. I'm not mad because they put attention to other guys and not to me.
"It's part of baseball. A lot of the guys know that I'm doing really good and I help the team, too."
Peralta originally came to the Tigers from division rival Cleveland on July 28, 2010, in exchange for pitching prospect Giovanni Soto.
In 57 games with the Tigers in 2010, Peralta hit .253 with eight home runs and 38 RBIs, including 18 RBIs in September.
Leyland said Peralta's play was not a surprise.
"We thought Jhonny Peralta could play shortstop," Leyland said. "We knew that he might give up a little bit of range at some point.
"I give our scouts a lot of credit. I think we knew what we were getting. We really liked it."
Leyland believes the issue of Peralta's range is overblown.
"His range is fine, but it's not somebody like (Elvis) Andrus or somebody like that," Leyland said. "So everybody's comparing range to somebody that's got unbelievable range.
"That's really not fair. All I know is I like it hit to him or around him."
Leyland noted that before his first full season with Detroit, Peralta got himself in great shape and has maintained it.
With Cleveland, Peralta had been shifted to third base, but playing shortstop again and playing with a competitive team made last year special for him.
"Really fun (season)," Peralta said. "I feel the best I feel in my whole career in baseball.
"Everything together. Physical, the team, everybody in the clubhouse, the manager, it's so different. It made me feel great to play like that."
Leyland is known for being a keen observer and didn't let the taciturn Peralta elude his notice.
"I'm a big Jhonny Peralta fan," Leyland said. "If you watch Jhonny Peralta, he's a very interesting infielder to watch.
"He always plays the ball into a good hop. He knows when to back off, he knows when to come get it. Unless you know something about him or are looking for it, you just kind of take it for granted.
"He's really good at it. He never panics. You see a ball sometimes where you know it's going to be an in-between hop, watch Jhonny Peralta. He'll back off so he gets the longer hop. He's good."
Peralta doesn't necessarily set statistical goals for himself but said he always works to improve.
"I try to do better than last year and see what happens," Peralta said. "I don't say that I'm going to do it, but I try to do the best."
Like everyone, Peralta was stunned when he heard the Tigers had signed Prince Fielder, one of the best free agents available.
"Surprise for me," Peralta said. "I never think the Detroit Tigers are going to have him. When I hear that in the Dominican Republic, I say, 'Oh, wow. Prince Fielder go to Detroit.'
"It's good that he signs here. He's going to help a lot. I think it's a good feeling."
As good a feeling as Peralta had last year, he wants an even better one this year.
"Last year we did a really good job," Peralta said. "We go to the playoffs and everything.
"This year we need to do better than that. I know we have a good team and we'll see what's going to happen."
