David Peterson had a strong major league debut on Tuesday night in Boston, holding the Red Sox to two runs over 5.2 innings while allowing seven hits, walking two, and striking out three.
As he controlled a Boston lineup featuring some of the best hitters in baseball -- including Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts -- Peterson became the first Mets pitcher to win his debut since Steven Matz did so in 2015. It should now be pointed out that the win/loss stat for pitchers is largely meaningless and should go the way of the dodo bird.
While Peterson's debut didn't come with the fanfare of recent debuts such as Matz, Noah Syndergaard, and Matt Harvey, he could have legitimate staying power in the rotation as a back end starter or potentially a middle of the rotation starter if he reaches his ceiling.
Here's how other Mets pitching prospects over the last decade have fared in their big league debut...
STEVEN MATZ: JUNE 28, 2015
Pitching at Citi Field in front of his family (including Grandpa Matz, who became a viral sensation), Matz allowed two runs in 7.2 innings against the Cincinnati Reds while allowing five hits, walking three, and striking out six -- throwing 110 pitches along the way.
Matz also brought the lumber, going 3-for-3 with a double and four RBI.
NOAH SYNDERGAARD: MAY 12, 2015
Syndergaard's debut came at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs, when he showcased his electric stuff but was a bit wild in 5.1 innings as he allowed three runs on six hits while walking four and striking out six.
JACOB deGROM: MAY 15, 2014
The initial plan for deGrom was for him to pitch out of the bullpen after being called up, but he wound up in the rotation instead and never looked back.
DeGrom's debut came at Citi Field against the Yankees, when he tossed 7.0 dominant innings, allowing one run on four hits while walking two and striking out six.
ZACK WHEELER: JUNE 18, 2013
Pitching the second game of a doubleheader against the Braves in Atlanta (after Matt Harvey pitched the first game), Wheeler was wild but worked through it, tossing 6.0 scoreless innings while allowing four hits, walking five, and striking out seven.
MATT HARVEY: JULY 26, 2012
Against the Diamondbacks in Arizona, Harvey's debut was electric, as he struck out 11 batters in 5.1 shutout innings while allowing three hits and walking three. Most scouting reports had Harvey as a future No. 2 starter, but the stuff he showed during his debut hinted that those scouting reports undersold him.
