The Nationals’ 2024 draft class has faced significant scrutiny, particularly regarding early picks Seaver King, Caleb Lomavita, and Luke Dickerson, each of whom has struggled at times. However, further down in the class, outfielder Sam Petersen, an eighth-round pick from Iowa, has emerged as a notable success. Petersen has been a standout performer in the Nationals’ minor league system, especially at High-A Wilmington, a notoriously difficult environment for hitters. His progress presents one of the most interesting storylines among the Nationals’ recent draftees.
Batting Profile:
After logging games in both the Florida Complex League and Low-A Fredericksburg, Petersen was promoted to Wilmington and quickly displayed an advanced offensive approach. Over 171 plate appearances at High-A, he has produced a .299/.400/.493 line, with a 161 wRC+, six home runs, a .194 isolated power (ISO), a 17.5% strikeout rate, and an 11.7% walk rate. Despite an above-average 48% swing rate, Petersen avoids expanding the strike zone, chasing only 25.1% of pitches outside the zone. This combination of selective aggression and discipline allows him to both make contact and draw walks at strong rates.
Subscribe to Nats Report+ to read the rest.
Become a paying subscriber of Nats Report+ to get access to this post and other subscriber-only content.
Join Nats Report+ TodayA subscription to Nats Report+ gets you:
- In-depth Nationals Prospect Profiles
- In-depth Nationals Game Previews
- In-depth reporting on the Nationals Minor League teams
- Comprehensive coverage and insights on the Washington Nationals