The Padres have signed second-rounder Dustin Peterson, a high-school shortstop, tweets Corey Brock of MLB.com. Brock also tweeted that Peterson's bonus will land above the $1.082MM slot recommendation for the 50th overall pick, with Baseball America's Jim Callis reporting (via Twitter) that the deal is for $1.4MM. Peterson is advised by Excel Sports Management.
Peterson was universally regarded as a top-100 talent entering the draft. ESPN's Keith Law pegged him as the 39th best overall prospect, while Baseball America had him at 62 and MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo at 73. According to Law, Peterson has solid swing mechanics and gap power, but needs to work on recognizing off-speed offerings. Law noted that the youngster figures more as a second baseman than a shortstop, while Callis calls him a future third baseman. As Brock notes, older brother D.J. Peterson was recently inked by the Mariners after being chosen with the 12th overall selection.