Cubs Draft Profile: David Peterson and His Fastball Project Well

It’s not every day you find a 6-foot, 6-inch, 245-pound left-handed pitcher. But that’s what you’ve got in David Peterson, a junior at the University of Oregon. He did play for the USA baseball national collegiate team last summer but he’s not one of MLB’s top 50 prospects. At this point, he is all about projection.

Peterson is the number one starter for the Ducks baseball team. He struggled in his first two outings this year, but I don’t think there is a reason to be concerned. Over the next two outings, he struck out 31 in 15.1 IP. He has not allowed a run in his last three starts and is definitely an ascending arm for this summer.

With his big frame and his natural athletic ability, Peterson has the potential that teams are going to take a chance on in the second or third round. His command and control are a bit iffy, but he has everything that a team would love to work with, including an excellent makeup.

He seems to check all of Jason McLeod’s boxes: USA Baseball, coachability, work ethic, big frame. What also helps is that he actually plays in the same stadium as the Eugene Emeralds, the Cubs’ short-season affiliate.

David Peterson

6-6, 245 pounds
Bats: Left
Throws: Left

Strengths

Left-handed
Big frame
Experience
Athletic
Fastball movement

Areas of Concern

Control and command
A third quality pitch

What Others Say

Scout.com said the following about Peterson’s potential:

Peterson has always been an upside arm due to his large frame and big arsenal. However, scouts believe his long limbs have been the key attribute to his biggest knock, command. Once Peterson learns to control his limbs a bit more, and capitalize on his extension, the ceiling sky rockets. Scouts also believe that Peterson is still trying to regain confidence in his body after the leg break, which has impacted his rhythm on the mound. Small things like this could be fixed and contribute to his future success, which leaves organizations desiring a future with Peterson at the forefront.

With a fastball he throws in the low to mid-90’s that runs away from right-handed hitters and in to left-handed hitters, and with some natural sink to boot, you can see why scouts could be high on Peterson. He also has a plus change, but he is still struggling with developing a breaking ball.

While he is technically not a project, he will need some time to work out some things as a pro.

Out of all the prospects we have profiled this winter, Peterson might get the biggest bang for the buck as he is just beginning to round into form.