David Peterson Provides Rotation Depth

In assessing the Mets’ rotation depth before spring training, general manager Brodie Van Wagenen included 24-year-old lefthander David Peterson in the equation as a potential starter.

Peterson, a 2017 first-rounder from Oregon, spent last season at Double-A Binghamton, where he went 3-6, 4.19 with a 1.34 WHIP in 24 starts. He struck out 122 batters in 116 innings.

“I think he faced a little bit of bad luck last year,” farm director Jared Banner said. “He gets a lot of ground balls and probably more ground balls than should have found holes at times during the year, but I think overall he did a good job commanding his stuff.

“His slider is real good. His changeup continues to develop. He was durable. It was a really strong campaign.”

Peterson, who stands at 6-foot-6, 240 pounds, also pitched in the Arizona Fall League. In four starts, he pitched to a 3.46 ERA and his fastball topped out at 94 mph, according to a talent evaluator.

“I wish he would use his curveball a little bit more, so he’s mainly a three-pitch guy right now,” the evaluator said. “He knows what he is doing, he has got a feel for it. We all want these No. 1 picks to zoom to the big leagues and it just doesn’t happen.”

Peterson received an invite to major league spring training last year and will return in February as a pitcher who could provide rotation depth behind the team’s five starters.

The Mets have also mentioned relievers Seth Lugo and Robert Gsellman as potential starters, though they fell down the depth chart after Rick Porcello and Michael Wacha signed as free agents.

“I think getting that experience in big league camp was good for him,” Banner said. “Coming in this year he won’t be as much on edge, he will be a little more comfortable this second time through and I am sure he will go out there and compete and show us what he can do.”