JUPITER, Fla. -- At some point before Opening Day, Dillon Peters' number will be called, and the Marlins will formally break the news that the left-hander will open the season in the Minor Leagues.
Exactly where has yet to be decided, but most likely it will be Double-A Jacksonville. Until then, MLBPipeline.com's No. 5-rated Marlins prospect will continue to showcase himself, like he did on Wednesday in a 6-2 win over the Mets at Roger Dean Stadium.
In three innings of relief, Peters collected a save, allowing two runs (his first two of Spring Training), while striking out two and walking two.
Although he pitched in relief, Peters is being groomed to start. The way he's looked in nine Grapefruit League innings -- posting a 2.00 ERA -- he has caught the attention of manager Don Mattingly and his staff.
"Everything we've been able to see has been great for us," Mattingly said. "We've been hearing about him since last year. But to actually get to see him pitch and see how he walks around and handles himself with these other guys is really important."
Mattingly also is quick to note that barring anything unforeseen, such as multiple injuries to starting pitchers, Peters will not break camp with the big league club.
"Maybe he needs to hear it or doesn't need to hear it, but he's a guy who isn't going to walk out of here with us," Mattingly said. "He's a guy that we've got scheduled with someone else, to continue his development. It's going to be important for him. He's showing himself very well, obviously."
The Marlins' 10th-round Draft pick in 2014 out of the University of Texas, Peters combined for a 14-6 record with a 2.38 ERA in 24 starts and 128 2/3 innings in 2016.
On Wednesday, he encountered some wildness, with both of the hitters he walked scoring. Yet the prospect effectively minimized damage, even working around a leadoff double by Colton Plaia to open the ninth inning.
"Dillon struggled a little bit with his command," Mattingly said. "You know what I like? He could have gotten into trouble there, he walked some guys. He could have gotten into really bad trouble. Again, it was what we talked about, limiting that inning to one. Two times he limited the inning to one run. He had a chance to get out of the other one.
"Dillon is a guy we just need to keep seeing and getting him ready. He will probably be here as long as he's got innings at this point."