- 1B/3B D.J. Peterson
- RF Alex Jackson
- 2B/SS Ketel Marte
- RF Gabriel Guerrero
- RHP Edwin Diaz
- C Tyler Marlette
- LHP Luiz Gohara
- RHP Victor Sanchez
- RHP Carson Smith
- OF Austin Wilson
1. D.J. Peterson
Position: 1B/3B
DOB: 12/31/1991
Height/Weight: 6’1” 190 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Acquired: 1st round, 2013 draft, University of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM)
Previous Ranking: #2 (Org), #65 (Top 101)
2014 Stats: .261/.335/.473 at Double-A Jackson (58 games), .326/.381/.615 at High-A High Desert (65 games)
The Tools: 6 potential hit; 6 potential power
What Happened in 2014: Peterson clobbered his way through two levels, accumulating 61 extra-base hits in 547 plate appearances
Strengths: Masher; barrels up with frequency; strong hands/wrists; hard contact to all fields; line-drive swing with ability to backspin; home runs look like well struck four irons; goes gap to gap; excellent extension; keeps barrel in hitting zone; massive raw; long, high finish; attacks pitches he can hit early in the count; looks to do damage in every plate appearance.
Weaknesses: Likely will have to move to first base long term; stabs at balls; limited quickness and agility for third base; can be overly aggressive at the plate; tendency to lunge on off-speed pitches; pitch recognition needs improvement; stiff in field; takes time to get out of batter’s box.
Overall Future Potential: 6; first-division third baseman
Realistic Role: 5; second-division first baseman
Risk Factor/Injury History: Medium; position switch possible.
Bret Sayre’s Fantasy Take: It’s such a shame when a right-handed power hitting prospect ends up in Safeco, but Peterson is a good enough hitter that it shouldn’t empty out his fantasy value much. Even with the ballpark working against him, he can still be a high-end CI option in time, though his eligibility may hurt given that Kyle Seager should man the hot corner in Seattle for a while.
The Year Ahead: The former first-rounder has a propensity for hurting baseballs, and has done so since arriving on the scene. This season will be another year of refinement in the high minors with the potential for a taste of the major leagues. He’s going to stick at third for the time being, but evaluators believe that first base is going to be his final landing spot. While Peterson may not have the athleticism for the hot corner, he certainly is more athletic than most first baseman, and would play solid-average defense upon moving. With excellent feel for the barrel and the ability to make adjustments at the plate in short order, the bat should be a weapon, regardless of the defensive home. He’ll always have some swing and miss in his game, but he also possesses the potential to hit .280 with 25 bombs at the highest level. The stick is certainly ahead of the glove at present, and with the lack of right-handed power in the game—especially with the Mariners of late—he’ll be a sight for sore eyes in the middle of the lineup.
Major league ETA: 2015
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