D.J. Peterson promoted to Clinton

Back in June, the Mariners made University of New Mexico corner infielder D.J. Peterson their first selection with the 12th overall pick of the MLB Draft. After quickly signing and reporting, Peterson played about a month for the Everett AquaSox, impressing fans with his power and mature approach at the plate. Last night, he took the first step to stardom when the Mariners promoted him to their full season single-A affiliate, the Clinton Lumberkings.

Peterson absolutely tore up the Northwest League. He exits as their home run and RBI leader with six and 28, and was hitting .312, which placed him in the league’s top five. He was a fixture in the middle of the AquaSox order, never hitting anywhere besides the power positions (3-4-5). He even showed a pretty slick glove in the field for a guy most experts have said will eventually move to first since he can’t stick at third.

Most of all, Peterson provided a major league bat in a group of low to high minor league ones for Everett. You could tell watching him take batting practice and watching him solve pitchers that he has a future ahead of him, one that could land him in Seattle in the near future. His bat is developed from his time in college, and I could see him turning up in Tacoma as early as next fall.

To the man who uses “Go DJ” as his walk up music, Mariners fans all hope you keep going right up to the highest level.