Brian Peterson (minors02)

Brian Matthew Peterson

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 225 lb.

• Schols Bellevue University, Eastfield College
• High School FM Marcus High School

• Born October 22, 1978 in Hyannis, MA USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Brian Peterson entered his 10th pro season in 2009.

Peterson was undrafted out of college. He signed with the Cleveland Indians and split 2000 between the Burlington Indians (.371/.421/.429 in 10 G) and Mahoning Valley Scrappers (.222/.360/.278 in 24 G). In May of 2001, he was released by Cleveland and signed by the Cincinnati Reds. He split that campaign between the Billings Mustangs (.325/.413/.500 in 10 G) and the Dayton Dragons (.248/.331/.345 in 35 G).

In 2002, Brian played for the Stockton Ports (.239/.280/.335 in 77 G) and the Chattanooga Lookouts (.286/.355/.500 in 9 G). He was Stockton's most-used backstop. The Hyannis native was at the same two levels in '03, hitting .268/.327/.324 in 49 games for the Potomac Cannons and .240/.315/.300 in 36 for Chattanooga.

Peterson elevated his status significantly in 2004, batting .300/.361/.444 as the main catcher for the Lookouts. He tied for second among Reds farmhands in average, .001 behind leader Joey Votto. Brian was named the best defensive catcher in the Southern League by Baseball America and he made the mid-season All-Star game in the SL. Had he qualified, he would have tied for 8th in the circuit in average. Peterson played in the Arizona Fall League later that year.

In 2005, Peterson returned to Chattanooga but faded back to Earth by hitting .270/.323/.411. He played for Team USA in the 2005 Baseball World Cup, batting .231/.375/.313 while splitting catching duties with Rob Johnson.

A free agent, he signed with the Detroit Tigers organization. He began 2006 with the Toledo Mud Hens, hitting .263/.306/.456 in 36 games. Despite his fair production at AAA, he was let go by July. He was picked up 10 days later by the Houston Astros. They sent him to their Corpus Christi Hooks club, where he batted .329/.369/.481 in 24 contests.

Houston released Peterson in spring training and the Pittsburgh Pirates picked him up, his 5th MLB system. He split the 2007 season between the Lynchburg Hillcats (.321/.429/.393 in 9 games) and the Altoona Curve (.272/.344/.372 in 83 games). He was Altoona's main catcher that year.

The Hyannis native began 2008 out of Organized Baseball, with the Bridgeport Bluefish. He hit .400 in 7 games, then was signed by the Baltimore Orioles, his 6th MLB franchise. He hit .243/.311/.328 in 51 games for the Bowie Baysox, edging out Matt Wieters for the most games at catcher on the club. Through 2008, his career batting line in the minors was .271/.332/.388.

Peterson returned to the Cincinnati chain in 2009.

Sources

• 2009 Reds Media Guide
• Defunct IBAF site
• 2001-2009 Baseball Almanacs