J-burg Grad Peterson Honored with MILB Defensive Play of the Year

NEW YORK – Johnsonburg graduate Cole Peterson was honored Wednesday with the Minor League Baseball Defensive Play of the Year presented by Terminix.

Photo courtesy of MILB.com 

Peterson, playing for the Class A West Michigan Whitecaps made an incredible, diving at full speed, catch to rob a hit from Tirso Ornelas.

The fans voted, and @tigers prospect @colepeterson19 wins the #MiLBY for Defensive Play of the Year, presented by @Terminix for his efforts with @wmwhitecaps.

📰: https://t.co/3D87SmV0iP pic.twitter.com/YWsTYeo1kW

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) October 31, 2018

Peterson, who helped lead Johnsonburg to the 2013 PIAA Class 1A baseball title and a 2013 PIAA Class 1A basketball runner-up spot, went on to play college baseball at St. Bonaventure before being drafted in the 13th round of the 2017 MLB draft by the Detroit Tigers.

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.

Read the full story about Peterson earning the award at MILB.com.