The Braves suffered a horrible scare on Sunday when outfielder Ronald Acuña seemed to have suffered a catastrophic knee injury after running past first base on an infield hit against the Red Sox. While it looks like Acuña and the team dodged a bullet and the knee was diagnosed as a “mild sprain of the ACL”, Acuña has been placed on the 10-day DL. To replace Acuña on the 25-man active roster, the Braves have called up prospect Dustin Peterson from AAA Gwinnett.
The Player
Dustin Peterson, OF
Age: 23
Bats: R
OFR Prospect Rank: 18
2018 Level: AAA Gwinnett
The Results
2018 (AAA): .267/.319/.457 | 4 HR | 1 SB | 7.1% BB | 27.4% K | 120 wRC+
The History
Peterson was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2013 draft by the Padres and sent to Atlanta as one of four players in the Justin Upton trade early in the rebuild. Drafted as a third baseman, Peterson was immediately installed in the outfield by the Braves. Peterson’s tenure with the organization has been marked with unfortunate setbacks. In 2015, Peterson was hitting .314/.392/.448 through mid-May when he was injured in the Carolina Mudcats team bus accident. He returned in early June, but was clearly still affected by his injuries and stumbled through the rest of the season. After a fine season in 2016 for AA Mississippi, after which the Braves named him the organization Player of the Year and played well in the Arizona Fall League, Peterson came to camp in 2017 with what appeared to be a decent shot at making the team. Instead, a broken hamate bone put him out of commission early in the season. As is typical with that particular injury, Peterson’s strength did not return immediately even after cleared for play and he suffered through essentially a lost season.
For 2018, Peterson reported to camp with a modified swing designed to generate more power, and he impressed with some towering home runs. Nevertheless he began the season with AAA Gwinnett. After some initial struggles, Peterson found a groove and found a power surge (detailed in the 4/29 Farm Report). Peterson then missed three weeks with an undisclosed injury, returning on May 24. Peterson hit a home run in his last Gwinnett game on Sunday.
The Report
When Peterson is at full strength, he has excellent bat speed and an advanced hitting approach. This offseason he modified his level, line-drive swing to help produce more loft and carry. The injury to his hand he suffered last season that sapped his power no longer seems to have any effect. Peterson’s new power emphasis does cause more swing-and-miss than before, and his strikeout rate the last two months have been the highest in his minor league career, though his walk rate is pretty much in-line with career norms; he’s just as selective as he’s ever been.
Peterson has average speed and will not be a significant basestealer, but he will pick his spots to take advantage of a pitcher who isn’t paying attention.
Peterson is an above average defender in the corner outfield spots despite a lack of range. Drafted as a third baseman, Peterson has a sneaky-good outfield arm, especially for left field, and he can hold his own in right.
What’s Next
The Braves could have called up a veteran like Danny Santana or Peter Bourjos to fill the roster spot until Acuna returns, but the team instead continues to give its prospects chances to prove themselves. Look for Peterson to get some starts in left field in combination with Preston Tucker, though I don’t expect a straight platoon. I would expect Peterson to get regular starts against both right- and left-handed pitchers.
How Peterson does with this opportunity could determine if he will get the opportunity to stick around after Acuña returns. Peterson could provide right-handed power off the bench, an area that the Braves have struggled with this season.
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