It was morning baseball in Port St. Lucie, Florida and my first chance to get a look at Mets top pitching prospect David Peterson.

Peterson, 23, has appeared to struggle since his promotion to the team but today was perhaps a glimpse of what the team saw in this tall and physically imposing lefty against the Clearwater Threshers, the Class A affiliate of the Phillies.

With the stadium radar gun showing 89-91 MPH on his fastball it was on this morning that David appeared to show promise scattering six hits through 5 2/3 innings allowing three runs, only one earned, with no walks and four strikeouts in the game Mets eventually lost 6-3.

Throughout the morning Peterson was a strike thrower, showing command of all his pitches with 65 of his 96 pitches going for strikes. The high pitch count mostly the result of numerous foul balls by opposing hitters. It was Peterson’s off-speed pitches where he got his swing and misses, and strikeouts including this strikeout in the video below.

From my vantage point, I felt I noticed a run and movement to David Peterson’s fastball, tailing away from right-handed batters and into the lefties. It was his off-speed pitches that he used to get the strikeouts against the righties which tailed inside to them often inducing poor swings.

My concerns in the early part of the outing was some hard contact off Peterson, including two early ground rule doubles. However,  as the game wore on David, settled down and appeared to go more with his breaking pitches at times and I noticed the decrease in hard contact through rest of his outing.

Overall, I liked Peterson’s command, seeing a hook to his curveball and a good swing and miss changeup. He maintained his fastball velocity throughout the outing out as seen below.

One of the main things I noticed immediately again is the sheer size of Peterson. Appears to have an ease to his throwing motion. His breaking stuff plays at the level as shown by some of the poor swings and efforts at them throughout the game and all the fouling off of pitches that opposing batters were doing to stay in the at-bats.

He was a Blake Tiberi error away from completing six innings of one-run ball today. I would like to see him build off this outing, continue his command of the zone while getting more soft contact.

On the hitting side of things, today was my first look at outfielder Raphael Gladu, who was recently promoted from the Columbia Fireflies. He’s had a slow start offensively with the team but today he was 2-for-5. I must say liked his swing overall. Looked smooth with an ability to go with the pitch as evidenced by this video below of Gladu opposite fielder single early in the game.

Today was also my first look at recently promoted first baseman Jeremy Vasquez, who definitely showed a loft in his swing and had four fly outs today. He showed solid defense in the field, making the plays, tags and necessary scoops throughout the game.

Also of note today was that former highly regarded prospect Wuilmer Becerra had another solid offensive outing today with hits in his first two at-bats including the video below of a Becerra triple to opposite field.

The sad news to report is that Becerra was later removed from the game to apparent injury following a diving attempt he made on a ball hit to right field during the game. It’s well documented Becerra shoulder injuries and surgery, but I believe today’s injury was leg/lower body related.

The other batter with a multi-hit game today was third baseman Michael Paez, who continues to show progress offensively in the past few weeks. July has been the best month of the season for Paez. To this point in July, he has been slashing .263/374/.474. Defensively, today Paez made some tough plays and made the throws with accuracy including while on the run.

Speaking of defense, it’s now starting shortstop Luis Carpio, who continues to impress. Carpio continues to show off the range, mobility, fast glove and instincts with arm strength since his move from second base to short following the Andres Gimenez promotion up to Binghamton.

Also worth noting that outfielder Quinn Brodey showed a strong arm today from center field and played small ball with a ground out that scored a run in the game.

In the end the game resulted in a loss, but I see some ongoing positive signs from the Mets prospects down here in Class High-A.

Definitely have to keep an eye on the Becerra injury. Peterson going forward is still obviously one to focus on with the team. I would look to see both Paez and Carpio reach double digits in home runs by the end of the year which would be an accomplishment in the Florida State League known for being a pitchers league.

Here’s the box score of today’s game where the St. Lucie Mets lost 6-3 to the Clearwater Threshers.