What does everyone think of Eric Patterson?

by nick3308 on Jan 7, 2006 3:27 PM CST

He won the minor league player of the year in the first year of his career. At Peoria he hit .333 and 50 extra base hits with 71 rbi's in 110 games. He also stole 40 bases.

Al, do you know where Patterson will start playing next year?..at AA or AAA?.. and how soon before you think he gets a call up to the majors..i know we dont want him to be rushed and turn out like his brother..but eric shows more promise..maybe he can get a little taste when the september call ups roll around..depending on the cubs' playoff contention.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

haven't seen him

can't make a valid analysis, i'd love to go to kane county to see him sometime though.

2006 -- AC036097 -- Eamus Catuli!

by priorpwnz on Jan 7, 2006 3:33 PM CST reply actions

You won't see him at Kane County...

... as he'll likely start 2006 in the Florida State League at Daytona. If he hits well there, I'd expect a promotion to West Tenn by midseason.

by Al Yellon on Jan 7, 2006 3:49 PM CST up reply actions

wasn't

he in AA ball last year? I could've sworn....

2006 -- AC036097 -- Eamus Catuli!

by priorpwnz on Jan 7, 2006 4:15 PM CST up reply actions

Here...

... are Patterson's stats.

He got a brief callup -- 9 games -- to West Tenn after spending most of the year at Peoria.

I suppose it's possible he could be at Double-A this year if they want to fast-track him.

by Al Yellon on Jan 7, 2006 4:20 PM CST up reply actions

i guess

it could also depend on how he does in spring training..

"Slump ? I ain't in no slump. I just ain't hittin." --Yogi Berra

by nick3308 on Jan 7, 2006 4:26 PM CST up reply actions

Dusty Baker...

... for all his reputation as not playing young players, often drags half a dozen players from the minor league camp, non-roster players, to play in the late innings of games, particularly early in the spring.

I'd expect Eric Patterson to be one of those players. Watch for him to get some at-bats in major league games.

by Al Yellon on Jan 7, 2006 4:29 PM CST up reply actions

Well...

I'm going to say the same thing I say about almost everyone else. I love him, but that's just me.

I think if he stays on track he will be better than his brother obviously. I like his attitude more too. I think we could see him in 2007.

Cubbie Blue always sPaRkLes in my eyes. Time to sPaRkLe Jimmy!

by sparkles721 on Jan 7, 2006 3:55 PM CST reply actions

Wow

what a coincindence. I was just asking a friend what they thought about EPat and whether they felt that his older brother's unwillingness to work harder than he has will affect the club's opinion of him. I personally think that he seems like a hard worker and if anything, Corey's slacking ways will act as motivation. Big League level? No way. Soon? I can see him succeeding at this level within 1-2 years. I still hope that Hendry comes to his senses and deals Hill for someone, SP, SS, 2B, whatever. I'm pretty pumped about the convention...I've never been. Will Pierre and other new acquisitions be there or is the schedule set before the offseason?

Hey Norm...if you were a hot dog...would ya eat yourself? -SNL

by EbbyCalvinNukeLaLoosh on Jan 7, 2006 3:57 PM CST reply actions

E. Patterson

I saw him play once over the summer. He is very fast, and was good with the glove. He showed a lot of patience at the plate as well. I left the scorecard from that game down in Macomb, but I seem to remember him going something like 2 for 4 with a triple. That being said, he's still a few years away. He spent most of last year playing A ball and low A at that. My guess would be you will see him in the bigs in 2008.

AC 00 00 00 - BELIEVE

by mike @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Jan 7, 2006 6:48 PM CST reply actions

I saw him play probably 15 times

At Peoria this past summer. He's fast, controls the strike zone really well, has a quick bat and is more than passable at his position. I think he was a bit old for low-A last year (having spent 3 yrs at Ga. Tech), and I definitely think he'll be fast-tracked to AA. We'll see how he holds up against better competition, but seriously, this kid was impressive to me this summer.

by mikew on Jan 8, 2006 1:36 AM CST reply actions

he has a chance

to be really good. he's not perfect -- he's going to be 23 and in daytona, which is a bit behind. and his season in peoria showed a bit of regression from the outstanding plate discipline of his college days.

but, that said, if he continues to work on patience, he could be really, really good. his 2005 was better than any of the three years korey managed in his minor league stay.

by gaius marius on Jan 11, 2006 9:31 AM CST reply actions

You really think...

... he'll be left in Daytona?

I agree with some of the posters above that he could be fast-tracked to West Tenn.

by Al Yellon on Jan 11, 2006 10:35 AM CST up reply actions

maybe not

i think they can try him at west tenn. but why bother? they start at the same time, so there's not a playing time deficit by beginning in daytona. i'd personally begin him there and promote him if he showed progress on plate discipline.

by gaius marius on Jan 11, 2006 12:01 PM CST up reply actions