Adam Peterson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #22 prospect in 2005
  The signing of Troy Glaus and the move of Chad Tracy across the diamond to first base left arbitration-eligible Shea Hillenbrand the odd man out, and the Diamondbacks shipped him to Toronto for Peterson, the first draftee during the J.P. Ricciardi era to reach the big leagues. Peterson had a dominant first half for Double-A New Hampshire, but he got shelled in three games for Toronto and it seemed to sap Peterson's confidence, as he only regressed at Triple-A Syracuse when sent down. Peterson does have big-time stuff however. He uses a maximum-effort delivery, but he has a quick arm and generates upper-90s heat with good tailing action. He shows a nasty slider and a straight change with some sink. Improved command is his No. 1 priority for getting back on track. Peterson will compete for a job in a crowded Arizona bullpen, but an opening assignment to Triple-A Tuscon to find the stuff that got him to the big leagues in the first place is the most likely scenario.
• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #12 prospect in 2004
  Peterson has as much opportunity as any Jays prospect to jump to Toronto in 2004 and make an impact. His makeup and stuff scream "closer," and Toronto lacks an established player in that role, even after the acquisitions of Kerry Ligtenberg and Justin Speier. Peterson was a 13th-round pick of the Phillies out of high school in Wisconsin and an eighth-round pick of the Yankees in 2001 out of Wichita State but didn't sign either time. He missed most of 2001 with a back injury and returned to Wichita State, going 9-3, 3.55 as a junior. After signing with the Jays, he moved to the bullpen. That change and a slight lowering of his arm angle jumped his 91-92 mph fastball with good life into a 96-97 mph heater with excellent movement down in the strike zone. His health and the consistency of his slider will determine his success. Peterson tends to get around on his breaking ball too much, costing him command, though he made progress with it in instructional league. At times, it's a filthy pitch with big tilt. He also has a playable changeup, which he won't use much out of the bullpen. Peterson could get some save chances in Toronto sooner than later.