SHAWNEE, Kan. (KCTV) – Just two months ago, Beau Peterson was playing high school baseball for the Mill Valley Jaguars. But if you fast-forward to this past week, he signed a $3 million deal with the Houston Astros.
“He first picked up the bat when he was just 18 months old and that was his dream,” said Lori Peterson, Beau’s mom. “About 3, he would always tell us, ‘I want to play in the pros someday. I want to be a professional baseball player.’”
A kid that grew up walking to the cage with his father is now a professional in the Houston Astros organization.
“That’s what he wanted to do,” said David Petesron, Beau’s father. “There was no Option B. Option B was Option A.”
Peterson was picked 133rd overall and commanded a signing bonus more than $2.5 million more than the slot value for his pick.
“To watch your kid’s dream come true, that’s the ultimate prize right there,” David Peterson said. “It was emotional. Happy tears, man. It’s a long, long, long journey to get there.”
Peterson was the 2026 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year after a standout career at Mill Valley. As a senior, he hit .535 with a .650 OBP and a 1.536 OPS.
“I remember having a conversation with Beau and his folks when he came into Mill Valley his freshman year. I said, ‘You’re going to have a bullseye on your back for four years.’ He was remarkable,” said Mill Valley head baseball coach, Jeff Strickland.
The 2026 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year, Beau Peterson (left), signed with the Houston Astros after being selected in the 2026 MLB Draft.(Courtesy Peterson family)
The Astros love Peterson’s potential at the plate. Defensively, he played shortstop in high school but he projects as a third baseman in the pros.
“His work ethic is one that I’ve never seen. The dedication, the commitment, he’s just always competing with himself and waiting to be better than he was the day before,” Lori Peterson said.
Peterson’s pro baseball journey has already begun. One day after signing, he reported to West Palm Beach, Florida, and began working with other Astros minor leaguers.
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