4. David Peterson, LHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/3/1995 (22)
2017 teams/levels played for: short-season A-ball Brooklyn Cyclones
2017 Stats: 3 GS, 3 2/3 IP, 2.45 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 6.3% BB, 37.5% K
Info: While Peterson had some interest out of high school, he really shot up in his draft season due to a drastic reduction in his walk rate and increase in his strikeouts. The New York Mets made Peterson the 20th overall selection in 2017.
(Peterson) may not translate to a frontline starter, but it should be a mid-rotation inning eater type
Peterson has an excellent frame at 6’6″ and 235-245 pounds. In spite of his height, he is able to repeat his mechanics and show elite command of all of his stuff.
Though he’s got the size and frame to look like he should have more velocity, Peterson works in the low 90s with excellent sink and late movement. He works a trio of offspeed pitches, starting with a low-80s slider that has unique movement and that Peterson can control very well. He also has a sinking change that is above-average and a curve that is more of a “show me” pitch but is effective, especially against righties early in counts.
That may not translate to a frontline starter, but it should be a mid-rotation inning eater type that generates a ton of ground balls. While a non-baseball surgery reduced his pro time after drafting, Peterson will likely open 2018 in full-season ball, whether that’s low-A or high-A, and he could move very quick through the system.
3. Justin Dunn, RHP
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 9/22/1995 (22)
2017 teams/levels played for: high-A St. Lucie Mets
2017 Stats: 20 G, 16 GS, 95 1/3 IP, 5.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, 11.1% BB, 17.3% K
Info: Dunn converted from the bullpen to the rotation in his draft season at Boston College and was so impressive that he shot up draft boards, landing with the New York Mets at 19th overall. He showed well in his pro debut in 2016, but 2017 showed some of the growth Dunn still needs as a starter.
While many of the concerns coming out of college were about the limited repertoire of Dunn as far as moving to a starter’s role, that’s not been an issue at all. His fastball and slider are both plus pitches and his change up is an easy above-average grade with very good arm deception.
Dunn runs his fastball up to the mid-90s and his slider up to the mid-80s with very similar arm action and great late movement on both pitches, so there is plenty of deception to hitters between the pitches.
The biggest obstacle for Dunn currently is one that is not surprising at all, given his background. He struggles holding his stuff, and especially his control as he gets into the 4th and 5th inning. Building up that stamina will help his control and the effectiveness of his overall pitch repertoire.
Dunn could use a fastball variant (split finger, cutter, etc.) to help with his splits against lefty hitters, but he’s really shown much better than many projected already and a future as a high-end mid-rotation starter or back-end reliever is certainly in play. He’ll likely hit the upper minors in 2018, whether the New York Mets open him there or have him work near their complex in high-A to open the season.
Next: #1 and #2