Dodgers: Everything you need to know about the three-team trade
By Jason Reed
Jake Peter may be the best candidate to back up Logan Forsythe
Again, Jake Peter may not be a name that many outside of Chicago know. In fact, Peter still does not have much stock as a prospect. After the deal, MLB Pipeline ranks Peter as the 30th best prospect in the Dodgers farm system. While it is good that he cracked the top 30, that may be an undervalue of what Peter can bring to the Dodgers as early as 2018.
It is without question that Peter is big league ready and should be fighting for a spot on the 25-man big league roster. Peter saw time at both the AA and AAA level last season, hitting a combined .279 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs. While he is susceptible to striking out a good amount, his left-handed bat and versatility is what makes his stock so promising.
First and foremost, Peter can play anywhere in the field for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Last season Peter played second base, third base and both corner outfield spots in the White Sox farm. Peter has also seen time as shortstop in the past, rendering him as the Dodgers left-handed version of Enrique Hernandez.
It is that left-handed trait though that reigns supreme in Peter’s evaluation. The Dodgers have a pretty big problem in their infield in 2018; Logan Forsythe cannot hit right-handed pitching. Forsythe hit under the Mendoza line against right-handers and flirted with .300 against left-handers.
Peter, however, brings his left-handed bat to the infield as a viable backup to Forsythe. At the very least, Peter becomes a more versatile Chase Utley for the Dodgers off of the bench.
His inclusion on the 25-man roster is not guaranteed and still needs to be earned, though. However, as of now, Peter’s chances of making the big league squad look promising.