3 Mets players who will take a step forward next year, 2 who won't

David Peterson has already peaked

It’s easy to get fooled by the way David Peterson finished his 2023 season. The lefty had very pedestrian numbers on the year, going 3-8 with a 5.03 ERA in 111 innings of work mostly as a starter. Coming off of an impressive 2022 season which saw him pitch as a starter and reliever as well while bouncing more irregularly between the majors and minors, expectations were for Peterson to improve with a rotation spot locked in from the start due to injury. He failed to do so. His yo-yo career continued.

Now four seasons into his career, Peterson has posted seasons of a 3.44 ERA, 5.54, 3.83, and 5.03. It doesn’t guarantee next season falls below 4.00. In fact, we shouldn’t expect it to.

Peterson has been a model of inconsistency. He remains a bit too wild. The far bigger problem this past year were the hits. He gave up 10.1 per 9 innings of work.

We know Peterson can occasionally run into an awesome start. He has steadily increased his strikeout rate as well. The man can be a major league pitcher. It just might continue to come as a fifth starter or if the Mets feel so inclined, a move to the bullpen where maybe they unlock a different level.