PORT ST. LUCIE – David Peterson should be considered the favorite for fifth place on the Mets rotation based on his solid debut season, but every spring camp needs job competition.
On Thursday, the southpaw took a solid initial step in claiming the job, launching two closed entries in the Mets’ 8-4 display victory over the Nationals in Clover Park. Peterson allowed a hit on 26 shots and also knocked Kyle Schwarber down in the first inning.
“It’s nice to go to camp and face guys and everything, but when you start playing games and face guys with a different shirt, that’s when it starts to get fun,” said Peterson. “I felt good about what I did today.”
An afterthought when spring training started last year – he had never pitched above Double-A Binghamton – Peterson’s stock soared at summer camp. It became a necessary component of the rotation after Noah Syndergaard underwent Tommy John’s surgery and Marcus Stroman tore a calf at summer camp before eventually giving up on the season.
Peterson, the organization’s first choice in the 2017 draft, thanked Mets for the opportunity to do 6-2 with an ERA of 3.44 and WHIP of 1.208 in 10 entries by the team. But that was not enough to give him a job in spring training.
“We have to pay attention to recent events, so what is happening now has to be taken into account in the final decision,” said coach Luis Rojas. “Of course, we take into account what happened last year, knowing that the experience and the feeling are there, everything is there. But what we see now knowing that we have depth with the guys at the camp, we know that we can have a little competition. “
This competition includes another southpaw, Joey Lucchesi, who arrived in a three-way exchange with the Padres and Pirates. Another pitcher with major league experience, Jordan Yamamoto, arrived in a trade with the Marlins.
Everyone fights for a place behind Jacob deGrom, Stroman, Carlos Carrasco and Taijuan Walker. The Mets are hopeful that Syndergaard will be able to return in June from his rehabilitation to provide another high-octane arm.
“I came and had a meeting with Louie, and he explained it to me and said he wanted to see me compete,” said Peterson. “I told him that I was ready to enter the camp and fight for a spot, and that has been the goal. I want to help the team win every five days, and that’s what I’m here to do, that’s what I’m focused on ”.
Peterson, Lucchesi and Yamamoto are the same in the sense that they all have smaller league options available. There is also the possibility of Rojas employing an opener in the rotation to launch in front of whoever is selected.
Rojas admits that there is “great value” in having a left-hander in the rotation, but he also noted that Lucchesi fits this description. But Rojas liked what he saw of Peterson on that initial start.
“There were a few close shots that he didn’t get in the first inning, but he fought them,” said Rojas. “It was a very good ride for him, to go out and hit.”
The challenge for Peterson will be to work in areas of improvement without losing sight of the competition for jobs.
“I focus more on where I can improve, where I can improve, than on messing things up,” said Peterson. “At the end of the day, when I go out there and pitch in a game, it’s about competing and taking the guys out and doing my job, and that’s the mindset that I brought to the camp.”