David Peterson Bio
David John Peterson (born September 3, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). A left-handed starter who debuted in 2020, Peterson has developed into a durable rotation piece for the Mets. In 2025, he was named to his first All-Star Game, a milestone that confirmed his standing among the league’s established left-handers.
Early Life and Background
Peterson’s parents, Shannon and Doug, divorced when Peterson was a child. He spent much of his early years in stables with his father, Doug Peterson, a horse trainer who worked with Seattle Slew. When Peterson was nine years old, his father died of an accidental drug overdose. The family tragedy shaped a quiet, determined upbringing that the pitcher has cited as a major influence on his character.
Between eighth grade and his freshman year of high school, Peterson grew ten inches, a growth spurt that pointed him toward the pitching mound. He attended Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado, where he became one of the top amateur prospects in the country. In 2013, he played in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game at Wrigley Field, signaling his national profile before his senior year.
Before his senior baseball season, Peterson broke his fibula during a basketball game and underwent surgery, costing him his entire senior year. The injury dropped him to the 28th round of the 2014 MLB draft, and Peterson declined to sign with the Boston Red Sox. He instead enrolled at the University of Oregon, where he would restart his path to professional baseball.
Path to Baseball
At Oregon, Peterson started 14 games as a freshman in 2015, going 4–6 with a 4.39 earned run average (ERA) and 81 strikeouts. As a sophomore in 2016, he went 4–5 with a 3.63 ERA and 61 strikeouts over 13 starts, and he pitched that summer for the United States national collegiate team. Those two seasons established him as one of the top arms in the Pac-12 Conference heading into his draft year.
In 2017, Peterson became Oregon’s number one starter. On March 3, he set a school record with 17 strikeouts, breaking the previous mark of 14 held by Tyler Anderson. On April 29, he broke his own record after recording 20 strikeouts in a single game. The Mets selected Peterson with the 20th pick in the first round of the 2017 MLB draft, launching his professional career.
David Peterson Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Peterson signed with the Mets and was assigned to the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2017, where he posted a 2.45 ERA in three games. MLB.com ranked him as New York’s second-best prospect entering the 2018 season. He began that year with the Columbia Fireflies and was promoted to the St. Lucie Mets in June, finishing 2018 with a 7–10 record and a 3.16 ERA across 22 total starts.
In 2019, Peterson spent the season with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, going 3–6 with a 4.19 ERA over 24 starts and striking out 122 batters across 116 innings. The minor-league stretch prepared him for a Major League opportunity that came the following summer.
New York Mets Debut and Growth (2020–2022)
The Mets selected Peterson’s contract to the 40-man roster on July 28, 2020, and he made his MLB debut that same day against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. He earned the win after pitching 5⅔ innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts, calling it one of the greatest days of his life. He finished the shortened 2020 season with a 6–2 record and a 3.44 ERA across 10 games, though a left shoulder fatigue issue sent him to the injured list in August.
Peterson recorded his 100th career strikeout on June 19, 2021, in a victory over the Washington Nationals, but an oblique strain that July limited him to 15 starts. He bounced back in 2022 with 28 appearances and 19 starts, posting a 7–5 record with a 3.83 ERA and 126 strikeouts across 105⅔ innings, confirming his place in the Mets’ plans.
Setbacks and Return (2023–2024)
In 2023, Peterson made 27 appearances and 21 starts, pitching to a 3–8 record with a 5.03 ERA but a career-high 128 strikeouts in 111 innings. On November 8, 2023, he underwent surgery to repair a damaged labrum in his left hip, with an expected recovery of six to seven months.
The Mets activated Peterson from the injured list on May 29, 2024, for his season debut. On September 3, his 29th birthday, he struck out a career-high 11 batters in a 7–2 win over the Boston Red Sox. He finished 2024 with a 10–3 record, a career-low 2.90 ERA, and 101 strikeouts in 121 innings across 21 starts, then contributed in the postseason.
All-Star Season (2025)
On May 6, 2025, Peterson recorded his 500th career strikeout against the Arizona Diamondbacks. On June 11, he threw his first career complete-game shutout, allowing six hits and no walks while striking out six in a 5–0 Mets win over the Washington Nationals. The last Mets left-hander to throw a complete shutout had been Steven Matz in July 2019.
On July 10, 2025, Peterson was named to the All-Star Game as a reserve, replacing Robbie Ray on the National League roster. At the time, he had a 6–4 record, a 3.06 ERA, and 93 strikeouts across 18 starts. He was also named a Gold Glove finalist, capping a breakthrough season at the Major League level.
Notable Events and Milestones
Peterson’s signature moments include his Major League debut win at Fenway Park, his first complete-game shutout in 2025, and his 500th career strikeout, also in 2025. He added a memorable October in 2024, when he recorded his first professional save in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series and his first postseason win in Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. He finished the 2024 postseason with a 2.92 ERA and eight strikeouts across 12⅓ innings.
David Peterson Career Wins
Peterson’s Major League win total reflects steady growth from his 2020 debut through his 2024 career-best campaign. Across his MLB seasons, he has registered double-digit wins in 2024, posted a winning record in 2020 and 2022, and added a postseason win in 2024. His 2025 All-Star selection highlighted his emergence as a reliable starter for the Mets.
Major League Highlights
Peterson’s first Major League win came at Fenway Park on July 28, 2020, against the Boston Red Sox. His most recent notable win was a career-defining complete-game shutout against the Washington Nationals on June 11, 2025. In 2024, he posted a 10–3 record with a 2.90 ERA, his strongest season to date.
David Peterson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Peterson’s parents are Doug Peterson and Shannon Peterson, who divorced when David was a child. His father, Doug, was a horse trainer who trained Seattle Slew, and David spent much of his early childhood around horses. Doug Peterson died of an accidental drug overdose when David was nine years old.
Personal Life
Peterson’s personal life has been largely kept private, and details about a spouse or children are not publicly confirmed. He attended the University of Oregon after passing on a late-round selection by the Boston Red Sox in 2014, a decision that ultimately shaped his Major League future.
2025 Season Performance
Peterson opened 2025 with strong form, highlighted by his 500th career strikeout in May and his first career complete-game shutout in June against the Washington Nationals. He was named to his first All-Star Game in July, replacing Robbie Ray on the National League roster. He also earned a Gold Glove finalist nod, reflecting his growing reputation as a complete pitcher.
Peterson set new career highs in 2025 with 30 starts, 150 strikeouts, and 168⅔ innings pitched, finishing with a 9–6 record and a 4.22 ERA. He struggled late in the year, posting a 12.54 ERA across his final five starts and an 8.42 ERA in his final nine starts, a downturn the Mets will look to address in 2026.
