Mets pitcher David Peterson can take a cue from Taylor Swift and shake it off

In his second start of the 2021 season, New York Mets pitcher David Peterson should have one thing on his mind. Summoning his inner Taylor Swift, it’s time to shake it off.

Peterson was dreadful in his first outing of the season. In four innings, he gave up six earned runs including a pair of dingers. The result was a loss on his stat sheet—something Peterson only did twice all of last season.

Peterson’s role with the Mets is far from secure. As the youngest player on the team and a guy with minor league options, he’s going to need to hold his chin up high and move forward with confidence after each start. Up against the Philadelphia Phillies once again in start number two, Peterson will have to hope for much better results. Fortunately, this time he will have Citi Field on his side.

What Mets fans should want to see from David Peterson in 2021

Some of those rookie jitters Peterson may have experienced last year from the fans could appear at times in 2021. Peterson is experiencing a lot for the first time this season. He’s actually hitting and trying to drown out the fans. Through only two games at Citi Field, we know just how quickly they can react; Michael Conforto and Edwin Diaz have already been booed.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to see Peterson experience some woes this year. He didn’t see much of them at all in 2020. He went five innings in all but two of his nine starts. Even in his relief appearance, Peterson managed to toss four shutout frames.

The thing to remember about Peterson is that he was never expected to become the next great Mets pitcher. Often behind other minor leaguers on prospect rankings for a team with an average at best farm system, Peterson looked like a guy with promise but not ace-material.

For whatever it’s worth, Jacob deGrom was projected to do far less than he has accomplished already. So, let’s not get too caught up into what people used to believe about Peterson.

In Peterson’s two worst starts of 2020, he did manage to rebound. A four inning performance against the New York Yankees on August 28 was his last before temporarily moving to the bullpen for an appearance. He followed that relief showing with his worst start of the season against the Phillies, a start which saw him surrender five earned runs in two innings.

Not beaten down too badly, Peterson finished the season strong. In his final 18 innings across three starts, the rookie southpaw was 2-1 with a 2.00 ERA.

Peterson is one of the more intriguing members of the Mets roster this year. Unseasoned compared to everyone else on the roster, he can secure a spot in the club’s rotation instead of having to go through another season of competing.

The biggest challenge comes when the rest of the starters are healthy. Carlos Carrasco should return before Noah Syndergaard. When each does come back, Peterson and Joey Lucchesi will be pushed out.

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By then, Peterson will have hopefully made enough starts to show the Mets what he can offer. Whether in the bullpen to finish out the year, in Triple-A to improve his game, or at some mysterious alternative site depending on how things go, every start Peterson makes is a great chance to grow.