NEW YORK — Jace Peterson hit just .182 with one extra-base hit and a .466 OPS in 21 games for the Braves before he got sent down to Triple-A Gwinnett on May 2. Then he hit just .186 with a .533 OPS in 26 games at Gwinnett.
But since getting recalled June 10 by the big-league team, Peterson has suddenly reverted to the form he showed for a torrid 50-game stretch in the first half of the 2015 season.
Before Sunday the second baseman had hit safely in all seven starts since he got back, and was 9-for-25 (.360) with two doubles, six walks and a .485 on-base percentage and .926 OPS in eight games overall including a pinch-hit appearance Saturday.
“I’m doing the same things I’ve always done my whole career,” Peterson said. “Just making little adjustments when I feel like we need to make them. Working with Johnny Mo (then-Gwinnett hitting coach and current manager John Moses) down there and (Braves hitting coach Kevin Seitzer) up here, just continuing to do my same swing and take my same good approach every day.
“When we feel like we need to make adjustments, we will. But so far we feel like we’re on the right path and starting to get some results now. Just looking to keep executing my game plan. It’s starting to feel good, starting to work out, and hopefully we can keep going.”
Peterson, a 26-year-old in his second full season in the majors, knows there are those who question whether he’s good enough to be anything more than a utility player. He hit .309 with a .389 OBP, 16 extra-base hits and 29 RBIs during a 50-game stretch last season from April 26 through June 21, but still finished the season with only a .249 average, .314 OBP and .345 slugging percentage.
He had a .246/.349/.290 slash line in 29 games this season through Saturday.
“I’m plenty confident knowing I belong here and knowing that I can help a team win and knowing that I can go out there and play hard every day,” he said. “I did it last year for the whole season. And you know what? I’m just going to continue to fight, continue to go play, and continue to make people realize that I’m going to go out there and play hard and be a good player.”
