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Atlanta Braves Top 100 Prospects: #22 Dustin Peterson

By Benjamin Chase

Mar 21, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Bats sit in the dugout prior to the gamr between the Texas Rangers and the Milwaukee Brewers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Bats sit in the dugout prior to the gamr between the Texas Rangers and the Milwaukee Brewers at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 2, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon against the Texas Rangers during a Spring Training game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals outfielder Alex Gordon against the Texas Rangers during a Spring Training game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

2016 Outlook

Peterson was switched from the third base that he’d been playing for much of his life to a new position last season. He was also working with a new approach at the plate in his stance and swing. The combination would have made it understandable to have a lateral season where he showed some improvement, but didn’t really set the world on fire. The thing is that instead of a steady season of that sort of up and down result wave, he had a very obvious line in his season pre-crash and post-crash. At just 21, that sort of season can certainly be overcome, and he has plenty of time to establish himself into the Braves’ future plans.

Next: Braves Top 100 Prospects Updated

Most likely, we’ll see Peterson start his 2016 in AA Mississippi, where he’ll play the entire season as a 21 year-old this year, likely one of the youngest players in the Southern League. Peterson could start his year at Carolina if the Braves find during spring that he’s needing some more work to get the swing fully functional the way they were hoping would come through with the adjustments before 2015. All in all, there’s a ton to hope on here, and Peterson is definitely an offensive favorite of mine for his pure athleticism and ability at the plate and in the field, but Braves fans should understand that he could still be a couple years away from appearing in Atlanta as he gets his swing under control and gets more time in left.

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