Mets Draft Target - 1B/3B - D.J. Peterson

There are a considerable amount of draft experts that feel that Peterson is the number one bat in the draft.  The 6-1 third baseman/first baseman has all the hitting tools to be a big star in this sport. All he needs is the right team fit.

Peterson is a pure hitter who won the Mountain West Conference triple crown in 2012. His statistics at New Mexico in 2012 were absolutely exceptional: Peterson hit .419 with 17 HR's and a 33:29 BB/K ratio for the Lobos and firmly established himself as one of the best hitters in the college ranks. Peterson has incredibly fast hands which help him generate a smooth swing with above-average bat speed. He's more than just a power guy as his batting average indicates, and he is one of a select few people who has the potential to hit for both significant power and a high average at the next level. Defensively, Peterson doesn't really have a home and he'll most likely end up as a first baseman or a corner outfielder. He's not a runner, but he won't clog the bases. You're buying the bat here, but it has huge potential and if Peterson comes anywhere close to repeating his 2012 season he should be taken early in 2013. MLB Comparison: David Freese - http://www.coast2coastprospects.com/dj-peterson.html 

Player: DJ Peterson
Position: 1B/3B
School: New Mexico
Date of Birth: 12/31/1991
Height/Weight: 6’1/190
Bats/Throws: R/R
2013 Class: Junior
Previously Drafted:
Scouting Report:
DJ Peterson may be one of the top college hitters eligible for the 2013 MLB Draft. He won the Mountain West Conference triple crown in 2012 after setting the NCAA freshman records for doubles in 2011. DJ will be playing for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team during the summer.

• Smooth swing
• Legitimate power
• Good approach at the plate
• Plays hard
• Probably a first baseman or corner OF at the next level

http://bigleaguefutures.net/1/2012/06/17/2013-mlb-draft-profile-dj-peterson/ 

Matt Garrioch at Minor League Ball posted his first 2013 mock draft and has New Mexico 3B/1B DJ Peterson going to the Giants at #26. Mack's Mets has a new draft ranking and also has Peterson at #26. So, let's take a look at DJ Peterson! Peterson bats and throws RH. He is average in size at 6'1", 190 lbs. Here are his numbers from his freshman and sophomore campaigns: 2011: .317/.377/.545, 32 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR, 15 BB, 52 K's in 246 AB. The 32 doubles set an NCAA freshman record.
2012: .419/.490/.734, 21 2B, 3 3B, 17 HR, 33 BB, 29 K's in 248 AB. Note his HR's increased by the exact number his doubles decreased. Note also the reversed K/BB.
Matt Grabusky at Big League Futures has a scouting report that includes smooth swing, legitimate power, good approach at the plate, plays hard, probably a 1B or corner OF at the next level.
Concerns would include not playing in a top conference, playing in a fairly extreme hitter-friendly environment, and of course, metal bats. As far as I can remember, the last corner player the Giants drafted in the first round was Will Clark, so taking someone like Peterson would be a major change in philosophy. http://whenthegiantscometotown.blogspot.com/2013/01/scouting-draft-dj-peterson.html


Mack - I'd love this bat, and, if Ike Davis is truly a dud, this is as good a pick as any outfielder. 'll say this...  he's a much better hitter than any of the college outfielders that will be available when #11 comes around.

In my world, it's Moran or this guy.