New York Mets: Three David Peterson predictions for 2020

David Peterson is regarded as one of the best pitching prospects the New York Mets have. What can we expect from him in 2020?

When the New York Mets selected University of Oregon left-handed pitcher David Peterson with their first-round pick in 2017, the selection was treated as more of a “meh” than anything else. Peterson, while he did have a solid career with the Ducks, did not have the ace ceiling of Jacob deGrom or Noah Syndergaard, nor did he have any truly “Wow” level stuff. In fact, the Peterson selection seemed to hearken back to the old days of Mets drafting when Omar Minaya opted to take high floor college players.

Peterson concluded his third professional season – and second full season pitching to a 3-6 record and a 4.12 ERA at AA Binghamton. While those numbers weren’t spectacular, they showed that Peterson could be a decent back end pitcher for a rotation likely in need of fresh blood when free agency hits in the next couple years.

What can we expect from the Mets’ second-best pitching prospect? Could this be the year he makes his major league debut? Let’s take a look.

Peterson will get to know Syracuse real well

The Mets obviously are banking on a second straight full season of good health from their starting pitchers. Otherwise, they may have to trot out the likes of Walker Lockett and Corey Oswalt again.

One person Mets fans can definitely expect to not contribute earlier than expected is Peterson.

Unlike last year, when Pete Alonso made a compelling case throughout 2018 and spring training 2019 to be the Opening Day first baseman, the Mets have enough depth in the rotation with Michael Wacha, Rick Porcello and Steven Matz complementing the team’s big three.

With that being the case, Peterson shouldn’t expect to sniff a big-league call-up until rosters expand to 28 in September or 2021. Should Peterson impress in the final level before the big leagues, expect Luis Rojas to have a tough decision on how and when to utilize him.

The Mets aren’t trading Peterson

Two of the most notable trades in the still infantile Brodie Van Wagenen era resulted in the Mets trading away their first-round picks in the 2016 and 2018 drafts for a combination of Edwin Diaz, Marcus Stroman, and Robinson Cano.

With Jarred Kelenic blossoming into a potential transcendent superstar in the Mariners organization, Justin Dunn looking like a future piece of the Mariners pitching staff, and Anthony Kay and Simeon Woods-Richardson looking like long term pieces in Toronto’s pitching staff, Brodie has shown remarkable restraint this offseason to not make a similar franchise-altering trade that may cost the team its top 2017 draft pick in Peterson.

While there was never an official trade package listed when the Mets engaged the Pittsburgh Pirates for former centerfielder Starling Marte, since acquired by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Peterson’s name was frequently listed as a possible piece in a deal.

Peterson may not be at the same level as fellow 2017 first-round lefties MacKenzie Gore (Padres), Brendan McKay (Rays), and DL Hall (Orioles), but he still should be viewed as a vital piece in the team’s future plans.

A left-handed pitcher with a deceptive motion, while not uncommon is still a valuable asset to have in the Mets rotation, and with Peterson the healthiest advanced level pitching prospect, he should be viewed as the type of innings eating back end rotation pitcher the Mets need to compete every fifth day.