Matt Peterson Stats & Scouting Report

IP	1052
ERA	4.064
WHIP	1.401
BB/9	4.055
SO/9	7.366

Full name Matthew David Peterson
Born 02/11/1982 in Alexandria, LA
Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Rapides
Drafted in the 2nd round (65th overall) by the New York Mets in 2000 (signed for $575,000).

View Draft Report

Opinions differ on whether the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Peterson is raw or polished--or falls somewhere in between. No matter, as he greatly improved his stock with a dominant high school season, going 11-1, 0.63 with 149 strikeouts and 31 walks in 78 innings. He routinely touched 94-95 mph and had an effective curve. Peterson pitches effortlessly with a long, loose and lean body. He does not have a Division I college option, which will make him an attractive target in the first or second round.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Peterson has perplexed the Pirates ever since they acquired him from the Mets in the mid- 2004 Kris Benson trade. He has compiled a 5.66 ERA in 34 games at Double-A since the deal and hasn't shown the form that made him the Mets' 2003 minor league pitcher of the year. Peterson has the makings of a solid starting pitcher, as he has a 90-94 mph fastball and a 12- to-6 curveball that's unhittable when it's on. He also has shown a good feel for a changeup at times, but he has been unable to consistently throw any of his pitches for strikes since coming to the Pirates. He has had particularly trouble controlling his curve. Peterson also has put too much pressure on himself in an effort to try to justify being traded for an established major league pitcher. He'll go back to Double-A for a third straight season, and he's too young and talented to write off as a prospect. However, at some point soon he has to start pitching well to stay in Pittsburgh's plans.
Peterson came to the Pirates in the three-team deal that sent Kris Benson to the Mets last July. He missed two starts before the trade with a strained side muscle, and that affected his control. He uncharacteristically walked 19 batters and threw six wild pitches in his last five starts of the season. Though Peterson has the frame to throw hard, he has better offspeed pitches at this stage of his career. His changeup is outstanding, particularly against lefthanded hitters, and he possesses a true 12-6 curveball. His fastball is no slouch, as it sits at 90-92 mph and runs up to 94. Peterson could stand to add muscle to his lanky frame. He also needs to gain better command of all his pitches. His inability to locate consistently led to 18 homers in 2004. How Peterson performs in spring training will determine whether he starts this season back in Double-A or gets moved up to Triple-A. He's still somewhat raw and won't see the majors until 2006, but he has a chance to develop into a first-rate starter.
After spending the last month of the 2003 season in Double-A, the Mets sent Peterson down for the Florida State League postseason. He thrived in the playoff atmosphere, going 2-0, 0.64 in two starts, including a seven-inning one-hitter in his last outing of the year. Peterson has a solid 90-92 mph fastball that he throws to both sides of the plate, but his out pitch is a 12-to-6 curveball that will be a plus pitch with more consistency. His changeup should be a solid offering. Peterson has an advanced feel for pitching and did a better job with his preparation in 2003. Peterson's command isn't bad, but it needs to get better before he's ready for the majors. He junked his curve at one point for a slurve and now throws a slider as a secondary breaking pitch, but it's a ways from being usable. Peterson has a chance to be a No. 2 starter if he puts everything together. He got a taste of Double-A in 2003 and probably will return there to start 2004. A midseason promotion to Triple-A Norfolk is a possibility.
Peterson was disappointed he was sent back to Capital City at the start of 2002, after making 18 appearances there in his 2001 pro debut. He put pressure on himself by trying to do too much before regaining his confidence in June, with a streak of allowing two earned runs or less in eight straight starts. Peterson has great size and throws his lively 92-93 mph fastball on a fine downhill plane. His overhand curveball, which has a sharp 11-to-5 drop, has the makings of becoming a plus pitch. When he finds his rhythm, Peterson shows why he projects as a dominating pitcher who could become a middle-of-the-rotation starter or better. Peterson's focus wanders at times on the mound, and he needs to be more dedicated in his preparation. His changeup is still in the developmental stages. Peterson made an emergency start at St. Lucie on Aug. 1 and allowed one run in six innings to earn the victory. He'll return to high Class A in 2003 and could climb the ladder quickly if a few intangibles fall into place.
With a refined delivery for a pitcher fresh out of high school, Peterson has the potential to have above-average command of solid stuff. He already possesses an above-average fastball (94-95 mph an effortless fastball), an effective curveball and a developing changeup. He has a long, loose and lean body. Rated as the best draft prospect in Louisiana in 2000, he went 11-1, 0.63 with 149 strikeouts in 78 innings as a senior. He signed for $575,000 at the end of the summer, so he didn't get to show his stuff off until instructional league. Peterson performed well during the fall and made Mets officials even happier that they landed him in the second round.

Minor League Top Prospects

Peterson missed a month early in the season with biceps tendinitis and returned to earn a promotion to Double-A by the end of July. He returned for the playoffs and pitched St. Lucie to the title, winning twice, allowing one run and five hits and striking out 19 in 14 innings. Peterson's bread-and-butter is a knee-buckling 12-to-5 overhand curveball. He has a great pitcher's body (6-foot-5, 210 pounds) and a 92-93 mph fastball. He also improved his changeup this season. "With three quality pitches--the fastball and the overhand curveball and his changeup is going to keep getting better--and a great makeup, he's going to be a good big league pitcher," Oberkfell said. "And he wants the ball."