Reilly
02-02-2005, 03:54 AM
Prospect Profile: Adam Peterson
By James Renwick (http://javascript<b></b>:location.href='http://search.scout.com/a.z?s=247&p=4&c=1&search=1&sskey=%22' + escape('James Renwick') + '%22&sssiteid=247';) Managing Editor
Date: Feb 1, 2005
Adam Peterson came to the Diamondbacks this January in return for Shea Hillenbrand. At the beginning of the 2004 season he was a dark horse to land the closer's job with the Blue Jays, and for a brief time he got that opportunity, but the promotion was a disaster, as he appeared in only three games with the big league club, giving up five runs in 2.2 innings pitched.
Vital Statistics:
Name Adam Peterson (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=247&p=8&c=1&nid=1750521)
Position Pitcher
Age 25
Height 6'3"
Weight 220 lbs
Bats Right
Throws Right
'04 Clubs Double-A New Hampshire (Eastern League), Triple-A Syracuse (International League), MLB Toronto Blue Jays (http://bluejays.scout.com/)
"He's got great arm strength, and his breaking stuff was improving all year," New Hampshire Fisher Cats Head Coach Mike Basso said of Peterson, "when he left our club to go up to Toronto he was throwing really well."
The problem for Peterson has been command, particularly of his fastball. There are questions about Peterson's confidence as well, because after pitching very well at Double-A, he bombed in Toronto, and then continued to throw poorly, posting an ERA over twelve when moved back to Triple-A Syracuse.
Past and Future: Peterson was taken in the fourth round of the 2002 draft out of Wichita State University and moved through the Blue Jays system very quickly. He had almost literally never been challenged until he got to the Majors, and now the Diamondbacks are hoping the change of scenery will help Peterson return to form.
Pitches: Peterson's bread and butter is a fastball that averages 95mph and can touch 98 without much extra effort. He throws a curve, a slider, and a change, and while all three showed major improvement none of those pitches are above average, only becoming effective when Peterson is spotting his fastball. There have been questions about Peterson's delivery, a long and complicated series of gyrations, and whether or not a simpler delivery might help Peterson's control.
ETA: Peterson's stuff is probably big league ready, but the question is if his head is ready. Basso thinks it won't be a problem. "I don't think he was rushed, all Adam needs to do is start locating. He's still 'throwing' more than he's 'pitching', the only way to change that is just to keeping getting run out there. I know he's 25, but he's still young experience wise. If he keeps going out there and getting put in situations, I think he's got a chance to be a real star, I know he was outstanding for me."
By James Renwick (http://javascript<b></b>:location.href='http://search.scout.com/a.z?s=247&p=4&c=1&search=1&sskey=%22' + escape('James Renwick') + '%22&sssiteid=247';) Managing Editor
Date: Feb 1, 2005
Adam Peterson came to the Diamondbacks this January in return for Shea Hillenbrand. At the beginning of the 2004 season he was a dark horse to land the closer's job with the Blue Jays, and for a brief time he got that opportunity, but the promotion was a disaster, as he appeared in only three games with the big league club, giving up five runs in 2.2 innings pitched.
Vital Statistics:
Name Adam Peterson (http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=247&p=8&c=1&nid=1750521)
Position Pitcher
Age 25
Height 6'3"
Weight 220 lbs
Bats Right
Throws Right
'04 Clubs Double-A New Hampshire (Eastern League), Triple-A Syracuse (International League), MLB Toronto Blue Jays (http://bluejays.scout.com/)
"He's got great arm strength, and his breaking stuff was improving all year," New Hampshire Fisher Cats Head Coach Mike Basso said of Peterson, "when he left our club to go up to Toronto he was throwing really well."
The problem for Peterson has been command, particularly of his fastball. There are questions about Peterson's confidence as well, because after pitching very well at Double-A, he bombed in Toronto, and then continued to throw poorly, posting an ERA over twelve when moved back to Triple-A Syracuse.
Past and Future: Peterson was taken in the fourth round of the 2002 draft out of Wichita State University and moved through the Blue Jays system very quickly. He had almost literally never been challenged until he got to the Majors, and now the Diamondbacks are hoping the change of scenery will help Peterson return to form.
Pitches: Peterson's bread and butter is a fastball that averages 95mph and can touch 98 without much extra effort. He throws a curve, a slider, and a change, and while all three showed major improvement none of those pitches are above average, only becoming effective when Peterson is spotting his fastball. There have been questions about Peterson's delivery, a long and complicated series of gyrations, and whether or not a simpler delivery might help Peterson's control.
ETA: Peterson's stuff is probably big league ready, but the question is if his head is ready. Basso thinks it won't be a problem. "I don't think he was rushed, all Adam needs to do is start locating. He's still 'throwing' more than he's 'pitching', the only way to change that is just to keeping getting run out there. I know he's 25, but he's still young experience wise. If he keeps going out there and getting put in situations, I think he's got a chance to be a real star, I know he was outstanding for me."