Through his play this past summer, former St. Bonaventure shortstop Cole Peterson has shown much of the baseball world what Bonnies fans already knew - that he's an elite defender.
After turning heads throughout the Detroit Tigers organization since being drafted following the 2017 season, Peterson can add another accolade to his resume - earning the 2018 Minor League Baseball Defensive Play of the Year.
Peterson won the award for his spectacular diving catch for the West Michigan Whitecaps earlier in the season. His play won against several other finalists in a fan vote held following the close of the MILB seasons.
This past season, Peterson, a shortstop, split time between Low-Class A West Michigan of the Midwest League and High-Class A Lakeland of the Florida State League and hit a combined .257 with five triples, 14 doubles and 33 RBIs. he stole 20 bases. He was hitting .277 at West Michigan prior to his call-up to Lakeland where he played his final 38 games.
From the MILB.com awards story:
The catch of the year took Cole Peterson's breath away.
In Game 1 of a doubleheader on May 22, the Class A West Michigan shortstop knew that any hit would be big in the sixth frame of a seven-inning game. With one out, Tirso Ornelas dug in against highly touted right-hander Matt Manning.
"He is one of their power hitters and he can drive the ball gap-to-gap," Peterson said. "I know our left fielder [Garrett McCain] was playing deep and our pitcher made a good pitch, got him to make an inside-out swing."
Peterson took off. As the ball began to sink, the St. Bonaventure product listened for McCain to call him off, but didn't hear anything.
"It happens so fast," the 23-year-old said. "I was just moving, trying to make a play on the ball and keeping my ears open."
At the last second, Peterson shouted, "I got it!" and as he lunged into the air, made the catch and dove across the grass -- all while avoiding the approaching McCain.
The 2017 Draft pick quickly popped back up and threw the ball in before putting his head down. From the outside, it looked like Peterson was keeping it business as usual, but on the inside he was trying to compose himself.
"I think I knocked the wind out of myself for a second or two," he said. "But after I stood up and tossed the ball in, I took a couple steps and I was good to go."
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