Wikipedia

Jace Peterson

Jace Ryan Peterson (born May 9, 1990) is an American professional baseball utility player who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, and Arizona Diamondbacks. Peterson played college baseball at McNeese State University.

Jace Peterson
Peterson with the Baltimore Orioles in 2018
Free agent
Utility player
Born: (1990-05-09) May 9, 1990 (age 34)
Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 25, 2014, for the San Diego Padres
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Batting average.226
Home runs42
Runs batted in245
Teams

Early life

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Jace Peterson was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana on May 9, 1990, as the eldest of three children to Scott and Shawn Peterson.[1] He was a three-sport athlete at Hamilton Christian Academy in his hometown, playing baseball, basketball, and football.[2] Upon graduation, Peterson attended McNeese State University, where he played football and baseball for the McNeese State Cowboys.[3] In his three-season collegiate baseball career, Peterson set a school record for stolen bases, with 78.[4] He was drafted by the Padres in the supplemental first round (58th pick overall) of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft and signed with the team for $624,600.[5][6]

Professional career

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Peterson with the Lake Elsinore Storm in 2013

Minor leagues

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Peterson made his professional debut with the Eugene Emeralds in 2011.[7] He played in 73 games, hitting .243/360/.333 with two home runs over 276 at-bats. In 2012, he played for the Fort Wayne TinCaps, hitting .286/.378/.392 in 444 at-bats over 117 games. He played the 2013 season with the Lake Elsinore Storm and hit .303/.382/.454 with seven home runs in 496 at-bats over 113 games. He started the 2014 season with the Double-A San Antonio Missions. After appearing with the Major League club, he was optioned to the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas in May. While he had primarily played shortstop in his previous minor league assignments, he saw time at second, third, and short with El Paso. In 2014, he hit .306/.406/.464 with two home runs in 248 at-bats over 68 games at Triple-A after batting .311 in 18 games at Double-A.

San Diego Padres

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Peterson was called up to the Majors for the first time from Double-A on April 25, 2014, when Chase Headley strained his calf.[8] He made seven starts at third base before being optioned to Triple-A. He was recalled on June 4[9] and took over at second base when Jedd Gyorko was placed on the disabled list with plantar fasciitis on June 6.[10] Peterson made ten starts at second before the Padres claimed Irving Falú off waivers and returned Peterson to Triple-A.[11] He had two other brief stints with the Padres in 2014, but was not part of the September roster expansion. For the season, he went 6 for 53 at the plate, batting .113/.161/.113 in 53 at bats without any home runs or RBIs.[12]

Peterson was one of seven Padres selected to play in the Arizona Fall League, where Bud Black expressed a desire for Peterson to get some experience in the outfield.[13]

Atlanta Braves

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On December 19, 2014, the Padres traded Peterson, Max Fried, Dustin Peterson, and Mallex Smith to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Justin Upton and Aaron Northcraft.[14] Peterson was invited to spring training and made Braves' Opening Day roster.[15] On May 16, 2015, Peterson came to bat in the top of the second inning against the Miami Marlins with the bases loaded, and hit his first career home run, a grand slam, off Marlins pitcher Mat Latos. The Braves went on to win, 5–3.[16] Peterson ended the season with a .239 batting average, .314 on base percentage, and .335 slugging percentage in 528 at bats, and was second in the NL with nine errors at second base.[17]

He was again named the Braves' primary second baseman at the start of the 2016 season,[18] but struggled through April and lost playing time before being optioned to the Gwinnett Braves on May 2.[19] On June 10, Peterson was recalled to the majors, after the trade of Kelly Johnson.[20] Once he returned, Peterson improved his hitting and became a utility player, mainly sharing time at second base with Gordon Beckham.[21] He remained a utility player through the end of 2016. He was also a utility player in 2017, in which he batted .215/.318/.317 with 2 home runs in 186 at bats.[12]

New York Yankees

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On January 5, 2018, Peterson signed a minor league contract with the Yankees with an invitation to spring training. He was promoted to the major leagues on April 7,[22] and played 3 games with the Yankees before returning to the minors on April 13, where he refused assignment and became a free agent. He re-signed with the Yankees on April 16 and ultimately was designated for assignment again on April 22.[23][24]

Baltimore Orioles

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He was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on April 24, 2018.[25] In his first game with the team, Peterson hit a double and collected two RBI in three at-bats. He ended the season playing in 93 games for Baltimore, hitting .195/.308/.325 with 3 home runs and 28 RBIs in 200 at bats.[12]

He was outrighted on November 1, then elected free agency.[26] Peterson later re-signed to a minor league deal on November 20.[27][28] He was released by the organization on July 16, 2019. Peterson re-signed on a minor league deal with the Orioles on July 19. On July 25, the Orioles selected Peterson's contract. On September 3, Peterson was designated for assignment. Peterson ended his season hitting .220/.269/.330 in 100 at bats in 29 games with 2 home runs, playing primarily left field.[12] He elected free agency on October 1.

Milwaukee Brewers

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On December 17, 2019, Peterson signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.[29] On August 22, 2020, Peterson had his contract selected to the active roster to replace Brock Holt, who was designated for assignment.[30] On December 2, 2020, Peterson was nontendered by the Brewers.

On January 13, 2021, Peterson re-signed with the Brewers on a minor league contract.[31] On April 10, 2021, Peterson was selected to the active roster after Kolten Wong was placed on the injured list.[32] He notched 5 hits in 24 at-bats before being placed on the injured list on April 23 with left thumb cryotherapy. On May 24, he was reinstated from the injured list and designated for assignment.[33] He was outrighted to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds on May 26.[34] On June 8, Peterson was re-selected to the active roster.[35] In 2022 in the majors he batted .236/.316/.382 in 288 at bats, playing primarily third base.[12]

On November 30, the Brewers signed Peterson to a contract for the 2022 season.

Oakland Athletics

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On December 13, 2022, Peterson signed a two-year contract with the Oakland Athletics.[36] In a June 6, 2023, game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Peterson went 5–for–5 with two home runs and five RBI, marking the first multi–homer performance of his career.[37] In addition, he became the first Athletics player to have five hits, five RBI, and multiple home runs in a game since Reggie Jackson in 1969.[38]

Arizona Diamondbacks

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On July 31, 2023, the Athletics traded Peterson to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Chad Patrick.[39] In 41 games for Arizona, he batted .183/.276/.258 with nine RBI and four stolen bases.

In 2024, Peterson played in 14 games for the Diamondbacks, mustering an .045/.154/.045 slash with no home runs and one RBI. On April 19, 2024, Peterson was designated for assignment by the team.[40] He was released three days later.[41]

Personal life

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Peterson and wife Brianna Pugh, who played soccer for the University of Oregon, have a daughter, born in 2016. They live in Lake Charles, Louisiana.[42] His sister-in-law, Mallory Swanson, an Olympic Gold Medalist, is the wife of Dansby Swanson his former Braves teammate.

References

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  1. ^ O'Brien, David (April 9, 2016). "Atlanta Braves rookie Jace Peterson's approach impresses veterans". Albany Herald. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  2. ^ Pleskoff, Bernie (May 4, 2015). "Peterson could become everyday player". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 5, 2015. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  3. ^ "McNeese Signs Hamilton Christian's Jace Peterson". KPLC-TV. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  4. ^ Pleskoff, Bernie (July 10, 2013). "Athleticism jumps off the page for Padres' Peterson". MLB.com. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  5. ^ Brock, Corey (May 10, 2012). "Padres see natural leader in prospect Peterson". MLB.com. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  6. ^ Alfano, George (August 21, 2013). "Cal notes: Peterson keeps improving". MILB.com. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  7. ^ Ocker, Kenny (July 24, 2011). "Eugene Emeralds shortstop Jace Peterson more than an athlete". Dailyemerald.com. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  8. ^ Brock, Corey (April 25, 2014). "Headley strains calf, placed on disabled list". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 8, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  9. ^ Lin, Dennis (June 4, 2014). "Pregame: Padres recall Jace Peterson". UT San Diego. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  10. ^ Sanders, Jeff (June 6, 2014). "Pregame: Gyorko hits the disabled list". UT San Diego. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  11. ^ Lin, Dennis (June 28, 2014). "Falu joins Padres, Peterson optioned". UT San Diego. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Jace Peterson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com.
  13. ^ Sanders, Jeff (August 26, 2014). "Jace Peterson's next assignment: outfield". UT San Diego. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  14. ^ Dykstra, Sam (December 19, 2014). "Lefty Fried, three others headed to Braves". MILB.com. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  15. ^ Bowman, Mark (April 5, 2015). "Peterson exceeds expectations, 'excited' for 2015". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  16. ^ Villa, Walter (May 16, 2015). "Jace Peterson's grand slam sends Atlanta Braves past Miami". The Albany Herald. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  17. ^ "Proving Ground: 6 Braves looking for better production in 2016". Fox Sports. January 8, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  18. ^ Bowman, Mark (March 26, 2016). "Fredi planning to give Peterson majority of time at second". MLB.com. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  19. ^ Bowman, Mark (May 2, 2016). "Gonzalez talks Peterson's future, roster moves". MLB.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  20. ^ "Braves call up former starting 2B Jace Peterson". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 10, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  21. ^ Bowman, Mark (August 12, 2016). "Peterson responding since return from Gwinnett". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  22. ^ "Yankees place Sabathia, Drury on disabled list". April 7, 2018.
  23. ^ Meoli, Jon (April 25, 2018). "Orioles notes: Jace Peterson thrown into mix quickly at second base". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  24. ^ Verrice, Taylor (October 28, 2018). "Moss Bluff native Jace Peterson placed on outright waivers by the Orioles". KPLC TV. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  25. ^ Encina, Eduardo A. (April 24, 2018). "Orioles claim Jace Peterson to supplement injury-riddled infield". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  26. ^ Matt, Eddy (November 8, 2018). "Minor league transactions". Baseball America. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  27. ^ Kubatko, Rich (November 21, 2018). "Peterson returns to Orioles on minor league deal". Mid Atlantic Sports Network. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  28. ^ Melewski, Steve (March 19, 2019). "Jace Peterson looks to make roster, help his teammates in O's camp". Mid Atlantic Sports Network. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  29. ^ RotoWire staff (December 17, 2019). "Brewers' Jace Peterson: Invited to Brewers camp". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  30. ^ "Brewers Designate Brock Holt For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. August 22, 2020.
  31. ^ "Brewers Re-Sign Jace Peterson to Minor League Deal".
  32. ^ "Brewers Place Kolten Wong on 10-Day IL".
  33. ^ "Brewers Recall Keston Hiura".
  34. ^ "Brewers Outright Josh Lindblom". MLB Trade Rumors. May 28, 2021.
  35. ^ "Brewers Select Jace Peterson". MLB Trade Rumors. June 8, 2021.
  36. ^ "A's make deals with Díaz, Peterson official". MLB.com. December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  37. ^ "Athletics' Jace Peterson: Homers twice, drives in five". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  38. ^ "Jace Peterson's Historic Night At The Plate Matched An Oakland Athletics 2nd Baseman Stat Line Last Accomplished In 1901". wisportsheroics.com. June 11, 2023.
  39. ^ Weiner, Alex. "Diamondbacks add infielder Jace Peterson in trade with Athletics". ArizonaSports.com.
  40. ^ "D-Backs Recall Jordan Montgomery, Designate Jace Peterson". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  41. ^ "Jace Peterson: Issued release". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  42. ^ Walton, Carroll Rogers (May 23, 2016). "Peterson looks to regain stroke, utility role in Triple-A". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
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