While the Los Angeles Dodgers got away from boasting a strong farm system under previous owner Frank McCourt, the organization has worked to restore it since the Guggenheim group took control. It’s an area team president and CEO Stan Kasten excelled in during his storied tenure with the Atlanta Braves.
With the help of president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, general manager Farhan Zaidi and a robust front office, the Dodgers in recent seasons have assembled a farm system that’s ranked among the best in baseball. Their recent standout draft picks includes outfielder D.J. Peters.
The Glendora, Calif., native was taken in the fourth round of the 2016 Draft. He spent his first professional season with Rookie-level Ogden, and spent this past season with High-A Rancho Cucamonga before seeing time with the Glendale Desert Dogs of the Arizona Fall League.
Peters was among the Dodgers prospects who were recently on hand to provide instruction in the youth camp series at Dodger Stadium.
During a conversation with David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio, Peters revealed he’s slated to play for the Double-A Tulsa Drillers next season:
“The only thing I know is that I’ll be going to Tulsa next year. Haven’t really been told anything about big league camp or Minor League camp. But to be honest with you, whether I go to big league camp or back to Minor League camp, I’m just going to enjoy it. I’m just going to get better, keep on learning, keep on improving my game, and just kind of better myself as a person and baseball player.”
In 132 games with the Quakes, Peters batted .276/.372/.514 with 29 doubles, five triples, 27 home runs and 82 RBI. He set career highs in doubles, triples, home runs and RBI. Most notably, Peters hit two home runs off Madison Bumgarner in the same inning of a rehab outing for the southpaw.
Peters struggled in 10 games with the Desert Dogs, tallying only eight hits, while striking out 20 times and drawing four walks in 47 plate appearances. Though of his eight hits, two were doubles, one was a triple, and three were home runs.
In combined time with the Raptors and Quakes, Peters is a batting a combined .302/.394/.548 with 53 doubles, eight triples, 40 home runs, 130 RBI and eight stolen bases over 198 games. He’s played all three outfield positions, with the bulk of the experience coming in center field.
