Position: OF
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 210 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 09/10/1994
High School: Gilbert (AZ) HS
Drafted: 2nd Rd., 50th Overall, 2013 (Padres)
How Acquired: Minor League Free Agent
Bonus: $1,400,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2024
Options Left: 1
Overview
Peterson went to San Diego in the second round in 2013 out of high school due to a bat that was considered one of the best in the draft, including very good bat speed that promised good power. A shortstop in school, he moved to third after being drafted, but a fringy arm and a huge error total in his first full season led to a move to left field. Peterson doesn’t run well and is probably average at best in left. As a hitter, he’s shown power at times, but his plate discipline has been just decent and he has a 260/320/393 batting line in the minors. He got into 19 games in the majors in 2018-19. The Pirates signed Peterson to a minor league deal for 2024.
2013-16
Peterson didn’t hit especially well in his debut in rookie ball in 2013, but the Padres moved him up to full season ball in 2014. He put up just a .634 OPS there at age 19, but he went into a bad slump after a good start. After the season, the Padres sent him to Atlanta in a trade of prospects for Justin Upton.
In 2015 in High Class A, Peterson again had weak numbers, with a .665 OPS. He also missed time to due injuries suffered in an accident involving the team bus. He hit better, though, in AA in 2016. He had 12 home runs and his 38 doubles led the league. Baseball America ranked him 16th in the Atlanta system after the season.
2017-19
Peterson had a rough 2017 season in AAA, possibly due to a hamate injury that kept him out for a month. His power disappeared and he hit just 248/318/319. Whether or not due to getting over the injuries, he hit better in AAA in 2018, although not great, with a 269/324/406 line. The Braves added him to the roster and called him up in May, but he got into just two major league games.
Late in the 2018 season, the Braves put Peterson on waivers and the Tigers claimed him. He spent most of 2019 in AAA, with a 286/317/439 line and a very low walk rate. He did get into 17 games with the Tigers and didn’t hit much.
2020-23
Detroit outrighted Peterson after the 2019 season and he elected free agency. The Angels signed him to a minor league deal, but released him in May, before the pandemic-shortened season got underway. He ended up in the independent Constellation Energy League, batting 309/400/500.
After the 2020 season, Peterson signed a minor league deal with Milwaukee. He spent the 2021 season with the Brewers in AAA, putting up just a decent OPS of .762. Early in the 2022 season, the Brewers sent Peterson to the Phillies for cash. Other than three early games with the Brewers, Peterson spent the entire 2022 season with the Phillies in AAA, posting just a .697 OPS.
Peterson became a free agent after the 2022 season, but re-signed with the Phillies, still on a minor league deal. He spent the 2023 season back in AAA and improved to .816 OPS, with a career-high of 19 home runs in just 85 games. He became a free agent again after the season and signed a minor league deal with the Pirates for 2024.
Stats
Transactions
June 7, 2013: Drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 2nd round, 50th overall pick; signed on June 15.
December 19, 2014: Traded by the San Diego Padres with Jace Peterson, Max Fried and Mallex Smith to the Atlanta Braves for Justin Upton and Aaron Northcraft.
May 28, 2018: Contract purchased by the Atlanta Braves.
September 6, 2018: Claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Braves by the Detroit Tigers.
October 23, 2019: Outrighted to AAA by the Detroit Tigers; opted for free agency on November 4.
March 1, 2020: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Los Angeles Angels.
May 29, 2020: Released by the Los Angeles Angels.
December 16, 2020: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Milwaukee Brewers.
April 19, 2022: Traded by the Milwaukee Brewers to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations.
November 10, 2022: Became a free agent.
January 18, 2023: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies.
November 6, 2023: Became a free agent.
February 18, 2024: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.