Outfielder who converted to pitcher with Tigers signs deal with Texas

When the Detroit Tigers signed DJ Peters last spring, he was expected to provide outfield depth in Triple-A Toledo..

In reality, he was on his way to becoming a pitcher.

Peters threw 21 innings in rookie ball for the Tigers as he worked on his transition from outfield to the mound. (He walked 27 and struck out 24).

Peters will continue that work with the Texas Rangers, who signed him last week to be a pitcher, not an outfielder.

It’s a homecoming for Peters, 28, who was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round in 2016. He was considered a top-15 prospect in their system as recently as 2020.

But Peters didn’t hit much in a brief big-league opportunity and was claimed off waivers by Texas in 2021.

In 206 plate appearances for the Rangers, Peters hit .198 with 12 home runs. But that power came with a price: He had 68 strikeouts and just four walks.

The Rangers released Peters so he could play overseas, and he spent a few months with the Lotte Giants of the Korean Baseball Organization. He finished the 2022 season in the Washington Nationals’ system after being released from the KBO.

The Tigers signed him to a minor-league deal last February and he became a minor-league free agent after the 2023 season.

Peters reportedly has a mid-90s fastball and a strong slider but must harness his control.