It appears the Dodgers have signed another top-10 pick, with fourth-round outfielder D.J. Peters reportedly coming to terms with the team on Saturday.
Dreams do come true!!! DJ is a Dodger! A new and exciting journey begins! #TartanPride @Dodgers @8Peters pic.twitter.com/dKlWoqzSCQ
— Glendora Baseball (@GlendoraBasebal) June 11, 2016
The Dodgers have not yet announced any signings, nor is the amount of Peters' bonus yet known. The slot value for his pick, No. 131 overall, is $442,400. Third-round pick Dustin May, a high school pitcher, has reportedly agreed to terms on an above-slot $1 million bonus.
UPDATE (June 18): Peters signed for $247,500, per Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com:
.@Dodgers sign 4th-rder DJ Peters for $247,500 (Pick 131 value=$442,400). JUCO OF w/power and strong arm @MLBDraft
— Jonathan Mayo (@JonathanMayo) June 18, 2016
Peters played at Glendora High School before moving on to Western Nevada College for two years. He hit .419/.510/.734 with 16 home runs and 14 doubles in 2016, and was committed to transfer to Cal State Fullerton had he not turned pro.
Peters was interviewed on Friday by Reno, Nevada ABC affiliate KOLO:
"Amazing; he worked so hard," said WNC hitting instructor Aaron Demosthenes on his star hitter's high selection. "Truly, it's his work ethic. When things aren't going well for him, he gets to work, instead of feeling sorry for himself."
When the 131st pick in the draft was announced, Peters and his family and friends began to celebrate in Glendora, Calif.
"It was a very exciting time for me to share with the people that mean the most to me," Peters said. "I'm just grateful I got my name called because most kids don't get to hear that. I'm really happy with the spot where I went; that's something I'll never forget."
Very few players wind up being selected by their favorite team. Peters has bled Dodger blue since early childhood, attending as many games as he could.
"I can't wait to get in there in that organization and impact them with my tools and the way I play the game of baseball," Peters said. "I'll keep on working. Signing isn't when all the work stops; it's when the work begins."
At No. 131 overall, Peters is the highest draft pick out of Western Nevada College. He was previously drafted out of high school in the 36th round in 2014 by the Cubs, and was drafted again out of Western Nevada in the 36th round in 2015 by the Rangers.