DJ Peters was a fourth-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016.

Not many professional athletes have the opportunity to play for the team they grew up rooting for, as well as debuting for that club in their hometown with family and friends in attendance.
All of those dominoes fell into place for outfielder DJ Peters when the former Western Nevada College baseball player made his Major League debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 23.
Peters, who played for WNC in 2015 and 2016, appeared as a pinch-hitter for the Dodgers late in a 6-1 loss to the San Diego Padres. Although Peters grounded out in his first big-league at-bat, he was overcome by emotion with how fortunate he was to reach the majors and have family and friends there to enjoy that special moment with him.
Absolutely blessed, Peters said in a Dodgers press conference the following day. Ive been working my entire life for that one moment. To put on Dodgers across my chest serves a lifelong dream of mine, and being able to do it here at Dodger Stadium, it was surreal. You couldnt have written it any better.
During his final season with WNC, Peters was selected as the Region 18 Player of the Year after becoming the first Wildcat to hit .400 (he batted .419) in a season and slug a team-record 16 home runs and 65 RBI. After starring with WNC, the Dodgers selected Peters in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft the highest draftee in Wildcats history and spent five seasons in the minor leagues before making his big-league debut.
When Peters came to the plate in the ninth inning to bat against Padres reliever Nick Ramirez, the Southern California native accomplished a dream that started as a young boy.
I was just trying to soak it all in walking to the box, Peters said. It was definitely something Ill never forget, once being a 7-year-old kid in the stands, wishing, hoping to one day be able to walk from the on-deck circle to the box and get an at-bat at Dodger Stadium, so like I said, something I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Peters grounded out to third baseman Manny Machado to end the game. A day later, he started in the outfield for the Dodgers, striking out twice. He also went hitless in the series finale against San Diego on Sunday. Since then, the Dodgers have optioned Peters to their alternate training site, recalled him and then optioned him back to the training site.
However, on May 8, after once again being recalled by the Dodgers, Peters replaced Mookie Betts midway through the game and delivered his first MLB hit a double down the left-field line that umpires reviewed because it bounced off the left fielder as he was trying to make a sliding catch. Peters also scored a run and walked as the Dodgers held off the Angels 14-11. He also knocked in his first two runs in the majors on May 15, helping the Dodgers pull away from Seattle in an 7-0 victory.
Trying to find a permanent place on a defending World Series champion loaded with talent has been challenging to the MLB rookie, but Peters believes he is major league ready.
Im prepared, ready, confident, he said. I have the feeling like I belong here. Im feeling like when my name is called that Ill produce and help us win the game, that was my No. 1 goal, and help the guys around me. I think it helps having been around the guys the last couple of years, being able to work out here in the offseason and being around the veteran guys and them taking me under their wings ever since I signed.
The circumstances of how Peters found out that he was being called up to the Dodgers were unusual.
I was taking my dog out to use the bathroom before bed, and Travis, our Triple-A coach, called me and said that I would be going to L.A. in the morning, Peters said.
Despite the short notice, Peters was able to have those closest to him at Dodger Stadium for his first game.
We had maybe 15 people all the way from my wife and my parents, to in-laws, aunts, best friends, to local people, Peters said. Being able to be 25 miles from the stadium on such short notice is something very, very cool to have. It was awesome to have people that love me and that I love here to be able to share that moment with me.