David Peterson

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). He made his MLB debut in 2020. In 2025, Peterson was named to his first All-Star Game.

Early Life and Background

David Peterson was born to Shannon and Doug Peterson. His parents divorced when he was a child, and he spent much of his early life in stables with his father, who was a horse trainer. Tragically, Peterson’s father passed away from an accidental drug overdose when David was just nine years old. During his adolescence, he experienced significant growth, increasing ten inches between eighth grade and his freshman year of high school. Peterson attended Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora, Colorado, where he showcased his baseball talent. In 2013, he played in the Under Armour All-America Baseball Game at Wrigley Field. However, his senior year was cut short due to a broken fibula sustained during a basketball game, which required surgery and led him to miss the entire baseball season. Consequently, he was drafted in the 28th round of the 2014 MLB draft but opted to enroll at the University of Oregon instead.

Path to Baseball

At the University of Oregon, Peterson began to establish himself as a formidable pitcher. He started 14 games as a freshman in 2015, finishing with a 4–6 record and a 4.39 earned run average (ERA) alongside 81 strikeouts. His performance improved in his sophomore year, where he recorded a 4–5 record with a 3.63 ERA and 61 strikeouts over 13 starts. During the summer of 2016, he played for the United States national collegiate team, further honing his skills. By 2017, Peterson became Oregon’s number one starter, setting a school record with 17 strikeouts in a game on March 3, which he later broke himself with 20 strikeouts in a subsequent game.

David Peterson Career

Early Career (2017–2020)

David Peterson was drafted by the New York Mets with the 20th pick in the first round of the 2017 MLB draft. He signed with the team and began his professional career with the Brooklyn Cyclones, where he posted a 2.45 ERA in three games. By the 2018 season, MLB.com ranked him as the Mets’ second-best prospect. He began the season with the Columbia Fireflies before being promoted to the St. Lucie Mets in June. Over 22 starts between the two teams, he recorded a 7–10 record with a 3.16 ERA. In 2019, Peterson played for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, finishing with a 3–6 record and a 4.19 ERA across 24 starts, striking out 122 batters over 116 innings.

Breakthrough (2020–Present)

Peterson’s major league career began when his contract was selected for the New York Mets’ 40-man roster on July 28, 2020. He made his MLB debut the same day against the Boston Red Sox, earning a win after pitching 5+2⁄3 innings and allowing two runs on seven hits. Following his debut, Peterson described the experience as one of the greatest days of his life. He faced challenges in his rookie season, including a stint on the injured list due to shoulder fatigue, but finished with a 6–2 record and a 3.44 ERA over 10 games. In 2021, he recorded his 100th career strikeout and made 15 starts, finishing with a 2–6 record and a 5.54 ERA. The following year, Peterson made 28 appearances, achieving a 7–5 record with a 3.83 ERA and 126 strikeouts.

Notable Works and Milestones

In 2023, Peterson made 27 appearances, pitching to a 3–8 record and a 5.03 ERA, while achieving a career-high of 128 strikeouts in 111 innings. After undergoing surgery to repair a damaged labrum in his left hip in November 2023, he returned to the field on May 29, 2024. On September 3, 2024, he struck out a career-high 11 batters on his 29th birthday. In 2024, Peterson made 21 starts, posting a 10–3 record and a career-low 2.90 ERA. He also recorded his first postseason win and was named to the 2025 All-Star Game as a reserve, reflecting his growth and success in the league.