Breaking News: Rangers Confirms the Signing of Another Superstar Pitcher

The Rangers have inked a minor-league contract with DJ Peters, according to initial reports from pitching consultant and former MLB player Dave Coggin (X link). Originally an outfielder, Peters is now embarking on a new phase as a pitcher, which commenced with his 21 2/3 innings pitched for the Tigers’ Florida Complex League team last season.

In 2021, Peters played in 70 games split between the Dodgers and Rangers, marking his sole prior MLB experience. During this period, he posted a batting line of .197/.242/.422 with 13 home runs and 82 strikeouts over 240 plate appearances. His career has been characterized by a struggle with contact, as his power potential garnered attention in the L.A. farm system, but opposing pitchers increasingly exploited weaknesses in his swing. The canceled 2020 minor-league season seemed to interrupt Peters’ progress, with his numbers sharply declining in the minors after that lost year.

For most of the 2022 season, Peters played in South Korea with the KBO League’s Lotte Giants. However, he joined the Nationals late in the year on a minor league deal and spent the entire 2023 season in the Detroit organization under another minors contract. Peters did not see game action except for his 17 appearances as a pitcher in the FCL, where he posted a 6.23 ERA over 21 2/3 innings, recording more walks (27) than strikeouts (24).

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News notes that Peters’ transition to pitching is still a work in progress, and his contract does not include an invitation to the Rangers’ big league spring camp. Despite this, Peters will have the opportunity to collaborate with familiar faces in the organization as he continues honing his pitching skills and figuring out how to maximize his abilities. As mentioned by Coggin on his X feed, Peters possesses a 95mph fastball and a slider with significant break.