The Mets’ Pitching Surprise and David Peterson’s Underrated Rise
Coming out of spring training, the general consensus around the Mets was that their pitching wasn’t strong enough. The lineup looked dangerous with the additions of Juan Soto and the re-signing of Pete Alonso, but with no clear ace and injuries to Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, it looked bleak. Clay Holmes, a converted reliever, was named Opening Day starter, and fans were skeptical.
Fast forward to their series opener against the Twins, and the Mets now lead MLB with a 2.30 team ERA. Their rotation tops the league with a 2.55 ERA, and the bullpen is third at 1.95. Much credit goes to pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and the emergence of Tylor Megill, but David Peterson has quietly been a major contributor.
David Peterson hip surgery: What does it mean for Mets’ free agency plans?
A former first-round pick in 2017 out of Oregon, Peterson was unexpectedly called up in the shortened 2020 season without Triple-A experience. That marked the start of an up-and-down MLB journey marked by injuries and inconsistent roles. Shoulder fatigue, an oblique injury, bullpen stints, and even hip surgery in 2023 limited his ability to find stability.
After returning from surgery, Peterson posted a 2.90 ERA over 121 innings in 2024—his most consistent and healthy stretch to date. According to Peterson, the hip procedure improved not just his health but also his delivery. Feeling pain-free and secure in his role helped him repeat his mechanics and gain a mental edge.
Those improvements carried over into the offseason. With time to train instead of rehab, Peterson refined his pitches. His slider, in particular, has become a weapon again. While his strikeout and whiff numbers dipped in 2024, his 2025 slider is showing signs of resurgence—especially against right-handed hitters. He’s increased his PutAway Rate with the pitch to 36% (up from 19.2%), mostly by improving its location down in the zone and just below it, fooling batters with its break.
David Peterson Hopes to Stick Around With the Mets – The New York Times
That’s not all. He also worked to add more vertical break to his four-seam fastball, trying to create a clearer distinction between it and his sinker. Though the shape is improved, execution is still a work in progress—he’s struggling to consistently keep it up in the zone, leading to some hard contact. The same goes for his changeup.
Still, Peterson acknowledges it’s early in the season, and these refinements will take time to lock in. His improvements on the slider are already paying off, and if he can sharpen his fastball and changeup command, he could take another step forward.
Peterson’s next challenge comes against the Cardinals, one of the league’s best offenses so far. If he can hold his own there, it’ll further validate the progress he and the Mets believe he’s made. His strong 2024 may just be a stepping stone to an even better 2025.
