Jace Peterson

Jace Ryan Peterson (born May 9, 1990) is an American professional baseball second baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and Brewers.

Jace Peterson
Peterson with the Baltimore Orioles in 2018
Milwaukee Brewers
Infielder
Born: (1990-05-09) May 9, 1990
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Bats: Left Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 25, 2014, for the San Diego Padres
MLB statistics
(through 2020 season)
Batting average.227
Home runs22
Runs batted in142
Teams

Early life

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
Peterson with the Lake Elsinore Storm in 2013

Minor leagues

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

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.

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.[12]

Atlanta Braves

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.[13] Peterson was invited to spring training and made Braves' Opening Day roster.[14] 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.[15] Peterson ended the season with a .239 batting average, .314 on base percentage, and .335 slugging percentage.[16] He was again named the Braves' primary second baseman at the start of the 2016 season,[17] but struggled through April and lost playing time before being optioned to the Gwinnett Braves on May 2.[18] On June 10, Peterson was recalled to the majors, after the trade of Kelly Johnson.[19] Once he returned, Peterson improved his hitting and became a utility player, mainly sharing time at second base with Gordon Beckham.[20] He remained a utility player through the end of 2016 and the entirety of 2017.

New York Yankees

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,[21] 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.[22][23]

Baltimore Orioles

He was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles on April 24, 2018.[24] 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 with 3 home runs and 28 RBI's. He was outrighted on November 1, then elected free agency.[25] Peterson later re-signed to a minor league deal on November 20.[26][27] 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 in 29 games with 2 home runs. He elected free agency on October 1.

Milwaukee Brewers

On December 17, 2019, Peterson signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.[28] On August 22, 2020, Peterson had his contract selected to the active roster to replace Brock Holt, who was designated for assignment.[29] 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.[30]

Personal life

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.[31] His sister-in-law is Olympian and World Cup champion United States women's national soccer team forward, Mallory Pugh.

He is credited with setting up his sister-in-law, Mallory Pugh, and his former teammate, Dansby Swanson. They have been dating since late 2017.

References
  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. 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. 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. Sanders, Jeff (August 26, 2014). "Jace Peterson's next assignment: outfield". UT San Diego. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  13. Dykstra, Sam (December 19, 2014). "Lefty Fried, three others headed to Braves". MILB.com. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  14. Bowman, Mark (April 5, 2015). "Peterson exceeds expectations, 'excited' for 2015". MLB.com. Retrieved April 5, 2015.
  15. Villa, Walter (May 16, 2015). "Jace Peterson's grand slam sends Atlanta Braves past Miami". The Albany Herald. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  16. "Proving Ground: 6 Braves looking for better production in 2016". Fox Sports. January 8, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
  17. Bowman, Mark (March 26, 2016). "Fredi planning to give Peterson majority of time at second". MLB.com. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  18. Bowman, Mark (May 2, 2016). "Gonzalez talks Peterson's future, roster moves". MLB.com. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  19. "Braves call up former starting 2B Jace Peterson". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 10, 2016. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  20. Bowman, Mark (August 12, 2016). "Peterson responding since return from Gwinnett". MLB.com. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
  21. http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/23061805/new-york-yankees-place-cc-sabathia-brandon-drury-disabled-list
  22. Meoli, Jon (April 25, 2018). "Orioles notes: Jace Peterson thrown into mix quickly at second base". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  23. Verrice, Taylor (October 28, 2018). "Moss Bluff native Jace Peterson placed on outright waivers by the Orioles". KPLC TV. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  24. Encina, Eduardo A. (April 24, 2018). "Orioles claim Jace Peterson to supplement injury-riddled infield". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
  25. Matt, Eddy (November 8, 2018). "Minor league transactions". Baseball America. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  26. Kubatko, Rich (November 21, 2018). "Peterson returns to Orioles on minor league deal". Mid Atlantic Sports Network. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  27. 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.
  28. RotoWire staff (December 17, 2019). "Brewers' Jace Peterson: Invited to Brewers camp". CBSSports.com. Retrieved December 17, 2019.
  29. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/08/brewers-designate-brock-holt-for-assignment.html
  30. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/01/brewers-sign-jace-peterson-minors.html
  31. Walton, Carroll Rogers (May 23, 2016). "Peterson looks to regain stroke, utility role in Triple-A". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved April 26, 2018.
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