The Los Angeles Dodgers were hampered by injuries for most of the 2021 season, which led to several prospects making their MLB debut. The group included DJ Peters, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft.
The Glendora, California native was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City on April 23 and grounded out in his first career at-bat against the San Diego Padres later that night.
Peters appeared in two additional games and went hitless in five at-bats before he was optioned to the organization’s alternate training site to make room for Victor Gonzalez.
Peters returned to the Dodgers for one day in early May but did not receive any playing time. He was sent back down to Oklahoma City and didn’t return to the Majors until the end of the month.
Peters found more success in his third stint with the Dodgers, but continued to be plagued by high strikeout numbers. In 18 overall games, he hit just .192/.382/.385 with two doubles, one home run and four RBI.
The Dodgers designated Peters for assignment in late July as the corresponding move to add Danny Duffy to their 40-man roster after he was acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Royals.
The 26-year-old’s time with the Dodgers officially came to an end once he was claimed off waivers by the Texas Rangers. The move proved beneficial as Peters became the club’s everyday center fielder before seeing regular time in the corner outfield spots.
Peters’ offensive struggles carried over to his new team, however, as he batted .198/.218/.426 with seven doubles, 12 home runs and 34 RBI in 52 games.
Peters’ 2021 highlight
Peters’ best performance of the 2021 season came on Sept. 5 as a member of the Rangers when he went 4-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI in a 7-3 win over the L.A. Angels.
2022 outlook
The Rangers outrighted Peters off their 40-man roster at the end of the 2021 season and eventually granted him his release so he could pursue a career overseas.
Peters went on to sign a one-year contract with the Lotte Giants of the Korean Baseball Organization League (KBO), where he will look to rebuild his value and potentially make the jump back to the Majors in 2023.
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