D. J. Peterson (baseball)


Douglas Anthony "D.J." Peterson is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Constellation Energy League. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners 12th overall in the first round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft out of the University of New Mexico, becoming the highest drafted player in program history.

Career

Peterson attended Gilbert High School in Gilbert, Arizona. He earned Louisville Slugger High School All-American honors. Peterson enrolled at the University of New Mexico to play college baseball for the New Mexico Lobos. As a freshman in 2011, Peterson led the Lobos in nearly every offensive category, earning Freshman All-American honors. He led the Lobos to the 2011 Mountain West Conference Baseball Tournament Tournament championship, earning tournament most valuable player honors.
In 2012, Peterson improved upon his freshman season, leading the Mountain West Conference in batting average, home runs, and runs batted inleading the Lobos to both the regular season and 2012 Mountain West Conference Baseball Tournament championships. Peterson earned First Team All-American and Mountain West Conference Co-Player of the Year honors.

Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners selected Peterson in the first round, with the 12th overall selection, of the 2013 MLB draft. He signed with the Mariners for a $2,759,100 signing bonus and spent 2013 with both the Everett AquaSox and Clinton LumberKings, posting a combined.303 batting average with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs in 55 total games between the two teams. In 2014, he played for the High Desert Mavericks and Jackson Generals where he slashed.297/.360/.552 with 31 home runs, 111 RBIs, and a.912 OPS in 123 total games, and in 2015, he played with Jackson where he batted.223 with seven home runs and 44 RBIs in 93 games. He also played in four games for the Tacoma Rainers at the end of the season. Peterson spent 2016 with both Jackson and Tacoma where he collected a.264 batting average with 19 home runs and 78 RBIs in 119 games between the two clubs. The Mariners added him to their 40-man roster after the 2016 season.
Peterson began 2017 with Tacoma. The Mariners designated him for assignment on July 30, 2017.

Chicago White Sox

The Chicago White Sox claimed Peterson off of waivers on August 6, and assigned him to the Charlotte Knights, where he finished the season. In 128 games between Tacoma and Charlotte, he slashed.252/.315/.404 with 16 home runs and 63 RBIs. On September 17, Peterson was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds. He was released on December 18, 2018.
On January 12, 2019, Peterson signed a minor league deal with the White Sox. He was released on June 8, 2019.

Sugar Land Skeeters

On July 29, 2019, Peterson signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent following the season.
On February 5, 2020, Peterson signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League. However, the Mexican League season was canceled in late June due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He later re-signed to play with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Constellation Energy League for the 2020 season.

Personal life

Peterson's younger brother, Dustin, was selected in the second round of the 2013 MLB Draft.