The New York Mets may not return to the field until May or June, and that’s if we are optimistic. The recent coronavirus outbreak has the world extremely cautious, which is the right approach to take given the high number of cases and the ease with which the virus is spread.
MLB won’t play any games for the next eight weeks, which means that we won’t see the New York Mets take the field in any sort of spring training or preparation period (and that’s if MLB decides to have one) until at least mid or late May. June is a more likely time to start, but that’s if the country manages to control the outbreak.
However, since February until just a few days ago, spring training was played, and the Mets had some impressive performers. One of them was, without a doubt, David Peterson.
The Mets’ left-handed pitching prospect is very committed to his career and, during the offseason, decided to improve his physical shape. And boy, did it work.
The Mets’ prospect showed increased velocity
The extra work he put in the offseason resulted in a velocity spike in spring training for Peterson. His ground-ball inducing sinker touched 93-94 mph more often, as opposed to the 91-92 mph he used to show.
In total, opponents could only score one run in six innings against the southpaw. They managed five hits and three walks, and Peterson struck out six batters.
The Mets prospect spent the entire 2019 season in Double-A. In 24 starts and 116 innings, he compiled 122 strikeouts against only 37 walks. His 4.19 ERA may not be shiny but he had a much better 3.19 FIP.
MLB Pipeline says that “few starters in the Minors can sink and command a fastball as well as he does.” That, combined with his above-average slider and an improving changeup should give him enough weapons to get big league hitters out as soon as this season, whenever it starts.
Peterson may have improved his ceiling from that of a number 3 or 4 starter to a number 2 if the velocity gains stick. The New York Mets certainly aren’t complaining.