D.J.

Peterson

The former top prospect spent the 2021 season in the independent leagues, splitting his time between the Lexington Legends in the Atlantic League and the Cleburne Railroaders in the American Association. He raked wherever he went though, slashing .336/.431/.740 with 29 homers, 81 RBI and a 77/37 K/BB ratio in just 325 plate appearances across 76 games. Still just 29-years-old, perhaps there’s still hope for him after all.

Peterson had batted just .189/.268/.370 in 143 plate appearances this season at Triple-A Charlotte. The 27-year-old former first-round pick of the Mariners has never appeared in a game at the major league level.

Peterson was released by the Reds on December 18, and they gave him the release for him to “pursue other opportunities.” Apparently the other opportunity is playing for another club. The 26-year-old spent the 2018 season with Triple-A Louisville, and he hit .277/.322/.462 with 16 homers. He’ll be organizational depth for the White Sox in 2019.

The Reds said they released Peterson so he could pursue other opportunities. Selected 12th overall by the Mariners in 2013, the 26-year-old batted .277/.322/.462 with 16 homers over 113 games with the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate this past season.

Baseball America’s Jim Callis reports that Peterson will receive $2.7591 million, which matches the recommended slot value. The Seattle Times’ Larry Stone hears that the third baseman will begin his career at short-season Everett. Peterson might have to move to first base but should move quickly due to his advanced bat.

Another third baseman for the Mariners, even though Kyle Seager looks like the best of their last wave of prospects. However, Peterson will likely wind up at first base. This is the second time the Mariners have taken him, as they drafted him in the 33rd round out of high school three years ago. Peterson is an excellent pure hitter -- he finished up at .408/.520/.807 for the Lobos this year -- and he should be among the quickest movers in the draft.

Selected by the Mariners with the No. 12 overall pick this past June, Pederson was struck in the jaw by a fastball in the third inning. According to reports, the 22-year-old did not lose consciousness before he was transported off the field and taken by ambulance to a local hospital. There’s no update on his condition yet, but with 11 games remaining on Clinton’s schedule, it’s likely that Peterson will be sidelined for the rest of the season. At the time of the injury, Peterson was batting .303/.365/.553 with 11 doubles, 13 home runs and 47 RBI in 55 games between Short-Season Everett and Low-A Clinton.

Peterson sustained the injury in Thursday’s game after being hit in the face by a fastball at Low-A Clinton. He will have to have his jaw wired shut, and will be out for at least the next six weeks, putting his availability for the Arizona Fall League in jeopardy.

Peterson pounded a three-run homer in the eighth inning and also contributed an RBI groundout. The 24-year-old has hit a ridiculous .440 with six homers and 20 RBI during his 13-game hitting streak. He hasn’t missed a beat since his promotion to Triple-A last week, batting .417 over his first 24 at-bats. Before his call-up, the 2013 first-round pick was fifth in the Southern League in doubles (21) and sixth in slugging percentage (.466).

Peterson’s three-run homer in the first inning was his first since July 17. The 24-year-old entered Monday’s game in a 1-for-15 rut that dropped his average from .309 to .277. Despite the recent power outage, Peterson has had a fine season, hitting .275 with 17 round-trippers and 72 RBI over 103 contests for Tacoma and Double-A Jackson. Peterson has played exclusively at first base this year after spending the bulk of his early minor league career at the hot corner.