Mets minor leaguers we should be excited to see back in action

David Peterson

The Mets have long prided themselves on developing frontline starters, and they are counting on David Peterson to be an important part of their future rotation. They drafted him out of the University of Oregon in the first round of the 2017 amateur draft. When Peterson was first selected, it was on the heels of two first-round pitching picks from 2016, Justin Dunn and Anthony Kay. They were both projected to play a large role in the Mets’ future pitching plans.

Now, with both of them gone via trades, Peterson is the lone recent pitching first-rounder who still has a chance to debut with the Mets. He has shown promise, posting a 4.19 ERA in 24 outings with Double-A Binghamton in 2019. Peterson also had a strong spring training in 2020, surrendering only one run in three appearances, including one start.

An important factor in Peterson’s career so far has been his durability. In his two full minor league seasons, Peterson has not missed extended time due to injury. This has given the Mets plenty of chances to evaluate him.

As other pitching prospects have left the team, he has risen in prominence and continually impressed his superiors. New manager Luis Rojas even referred to Peterson as the team’s “seventh starter” repeatedly in spring training earlier this year.

Save for current starter Steven Matz, the Mets are relatively devoid of left-handed, major league-ready pitchers in their organization. Peterson is aware of this. He believes that this year could be his chance to make an impact with the big club.

“Whenever my time comes that’s up to the front office,” Peterson told the New York Post. “But I want to make the decision on them as hard as possible and show them if they go with somebody that is a veteran and something happens I’m there.”