Last season, due to a heavy workload for the University of Oregon (and an ingrown toenail), the Mets 2017 first round draft pick (20th overall) David Peterson was limited to just 3.2 innings for Brooklyn. Essentially, that meant this season was going to be his first real season as a professional starting pitcher.

Peterson’s season would be delayed as he began the year with a minor physical issue. With the physical issue behind him, Peterson was finally able to make his first real professional start for the Columbia Fireflies last night.

It was well worth the wait.

The lefty dominated the Greenville Drive who had a lineup which included Red Sox MLB Pipeline top prospects Cole Brannen (No. 6), C.J. Chatham (No. 10), and Pedro Castellanos (No. 18).  That trio was just 1-9 on the night striking out once and grounding into two double plays.

Peterson’s final line was 6.0 inning, four hits, one run, one earned, two walks, and four strikeouts. He also worked around three errors made behind him.

Peterson needed just 85 pitches (58 strikes) go get through the six innings.  He faced the minimum in three of the six innings he pitched.  He got off to a very good start to the 2018 season, and really he had a good first real start of his professional career.

More than that, on a day with top prospects from both the Mets and Red Sox organization, it was Peterson who had the best day. That’s why both he and the Columbia Fireflies walked away with the 8-4 win.