Ranking the options for the final spot in the postseason rotation

2) Ranking the options for the final spot in the postseason rotation: David Peterson

What David Peterson has done this season is so impressive. He's been going up and down from Syracuse making spot starts for the Mets and even working out of the bullpen and has been very effective.

Peterson has had the best season of his career so far, going 7-3 with a 3.32 ERA in 21 appearances (17 starts). He's featured a wipeout slider that has generated a 47.3% whiff rate. For reference, Jacob deGrom's slider has a 53.6% whiff rate and Edwin Diaz's slider has generated a 53.9% whiff rate. Peterson's slider has been elite.

Peterson has pitched extremely well all season for the Mets and deserves a permanent rotation spot. He most definitely should be in the 2023 rotation. However, I think there are still some things that push me away from choosing him over the final candidate for the postseason rotation.

Peterson has walked 3.9 batters per nine. This is slightly better than his career 4.0 mark, but still not good. In the postseason if you walk hitters, those teams are much more likely to take advantage.

Peterson has done a great job with RISP, limiting the opposition to a .530 OPS in those situations. However, once again, I believe good teams can take advantage. His 1.305 WHIP isn't horrible, but baserunners create the chances for the opposition to score.

Another thing that works against Peterson is his inexperience. He's made just 41 career starts and has already worked more innings this season than he has in any other season in his major league career.

The Mets are fortunate enough to have veterans who have made postseason starts before who they can turn to.

Peterson has had an excellent year and wouldn't be a bad option, he's just not my first choice.