The Arizona Fall League...

[Laura]

Eric Patterson is mentioned as one of ten AFL prospects to watch in BP's Future Shock.

 

After leading the Midwest League in batting last year, Patterson's Double-A showing was a significant dropoff to .263/.330/.438, but a late-season surge at Triple-A brought some of the buzz back. That buzz is only growing in Arizona, as Patterson has smacked 12 hits in his last six games to raise his AFL average to .358 to go with 25 runs scored in 24 games, thanks in part to a .425 on-base percentage and a league-leading 12 stolen bases. Scouts have been impressed with Patterson's speed, approach, and gap power, leaving many to wonder if he's got a shot at the big league second base job in early 2007, if not Opening Day.

[Balsa]

Way to go EPatt!!!!! :o

 

He's doing a great job, and I'm pretty excited about it...

[TruffleShuffle]

Eric Patterson is mentioned as one of ten AFL prospects to watch in BP's Future Shock.

 

After leading the Midwest League in batting last year, Patterson's Double-A showing was a significant dropoff to .263/.330/.438, but a late-season surge at Triple-A brought some of the buzz back. That buzz is only growing in Arizona, as Patterson has smacked 12 hits in his last six games to raise his AFL average to .358 to go with 25 runs scored in 24 games, thanks in part to a .425 on-base percentage and a league-leading 12 stolen bases. Scouts have been impressed with Patterson's speed, approach, and gap power, leaving many to wonder if he's got a shot at the big league second base job in early 2007, if not Opening Day.

 

Hop on the bandwagon, folks! I've made sure there's plenty of room aboard.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Cant Patterson play defense well enough?

[C.C.]

Cant Patterson play defense well enough?

 

I read someplace that his defense was terrible...

[Balsa]

Cant Patterson play defense well enough?

 

I read someplace that his defense was terrible...

I heard about lots of "unturned double plays"...

[cubweiser03]

Clay has become a legitimate middle relief prospect.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Mesa lost 14-5, box:

 

2B E. Patterson 0/5, R, 3 K (15)

LF S. Moore 1/4, R, 2 K (26)

C J. Fox 0/2, R, BB (3), HBP, PB (3)

RP C. Pignatiello 1.1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 K/0 BB, WP, 3 GO-0 FO, 3 inherited runners - 3 scored, 14 pitches (10 strikes)

RP C. Rapada 0.2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 K/1 BB, balk, 0 GO-2 FO, 1 inherited runner - 0 scored, 14 pitches (10 strikes)

 

Overall:

 

Eric Patterson: 35/105, .333/.397/.457/.854, 11 BB, 15 K, 13/15 SB, 6 E

Scott Moore: 26/100, .260/.357/.470/.827, 1 HBP, 14 BB, 26 K, 4/5 SB, 3 E

Jake Fox: 15/61, .246/.292/.377/.669, 1 HBP, 3 BB, 10 K, 1/1 SB, 2 E, 3 PB

Carmen Pignatiello: 9.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 15 K/4 BB, 0.96 ERA, 0.86 WHIP

Clay Rapada: 13.2 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 16 K/3 BB, 2.63 ERA, 0.88 WHIP

[the splendid splinter]

3 pb, jeez whats the name of Foxs' glove? Everlast!

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Mesa wins 5-2, box:

 

2B E. Patterson 3/5, R, K (16), SB (14), picked off

3B S. Moore 0/3, R, BB (15), K (27)

 

Overall:

 

Eric Patterson: 38/110, .345/.405/.464/.869, 11 BB, 16 K, 14/16 SB, 6 E

Scott Moore: 26/103, .252/.353/.456/.809, 1 HBP, 15 BB, 27 K, 4/5 SB, 3 E

[Lefty]

Cant Patterson play defense well enough?

 

I read someplace that his defense was terrible...

 

Someone at all-baseball.com who has been watching the AFL says Patterson's offensive approach is fantastic, almost MLB ready, but that he should be moved to the outfiled now.

[mg420]

Cant Patterson play defense well enough?

 

I read someplace that his defense was terrible...

 

Someone at all-baseball.com who has been watching the AFL says Patterson's offensive approach is fantastic, almost MLB ready, but that he should be moved to the outfiled now.

 

i also think that it would be a good idea. if they can switch him to cf and pie to rf, they both could be up in the big leagues in 2008. he stats seem to point to a juan pierre type player with a much better (.375-.400) obp. i hope they dont wait too long if indeed his 2b defense is that bad.

[MPrior]

Cant Patterson play defense well enough?

 

I read someplace that his defense was terrible...

 

Someone at all-baseball.com who has been watching the AFL says Patterson's offensive approach is fantastic, almost MLB ready, but that he should be moved to the outfiled now.

 

i also think that it would be a good idea. if they can switch him to cf and pie to rf, they both could be up in the big leagues in 2008. he stats seem to point to a juan pierre type player with a much better (.375-.400) obp. i hope they dont wait too long if indeed his 2b defense is that bad.

 

I think he's highly unlikely to post an OBP of .375-.400 consistently in the Majors. .335-.360 is much more likely, I think (mostly because he's not going to hit .345 in the majors).

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Cant Patterson play defense well enough?

 

I read someplace that his defense was terrible...

 

Someone at all-baseball.com who has been watching the AFL says Patterson's offensive approach is fantastic, almost MLB ready, but that he should be moved to the outfiled now.

 

i also think that it would be a good idea. if they can switch him to cf and pie to rf, they both could be up in the big leagues in 2008. he stats seem to point to a juan pierre type player with a much better (.375-.400) obp. i hope they dont wait too long if indeed his 2b defense is that bad.

 

I think he's highly unlikely to post an OBP of .375-.400 consistently in the Majors. .335-.360 is much more likely, I think (mostly because he's not going to hit .345 in the majors).

 

The AFL is a historic hitter's league...thinner air and many teams don't want to send good pitching prospects for fear of injury. So one definitely must temper their their enthusiasm over the hitting stats we've seen down there.

 

Of course, EPatt and Moore's IsoD are impressive whether they were playing in a hitter's league or not, and I think that's one of the most encouraging things to take away from their AFL season.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

As the AFL season is winding down, BA did their top 20 prospects in the AFL. Only one Cub made it, and he snuck in at #20:

 

1. Troy Tulowitzki, ss, Grand Canyon (Rockies)

2. Ryan Braun, 3b, Scottsdale (Brewers)

3. Fernando Martinez, of, Mesa (Mets)

4. Jacoby Ellsbury, of, Peoria Javelinas (Red Sox)

5. Trevor Crowe, of, Peoria Javelinas (Indians)

6. Elijah Dukes, of, Phoenix (Devil Rays)

7. Hunter Pence, of, Mesa (Astros)

8. Gio Gonzalez, lhp, Peoria Saguaros (Phillies)

9. Matt Albers, rhp, Mesa (Astros)

10. Kevin Slowey, rhp, Mesa (Twins)

11. Troy Patton, lhp, Mesa (Astros)

12. Jonathan Meloan, rhp, Mesa (Dodgers)

13. Joe Koshansky, 1b, Grand Canyon (Rockies)

14. Kory Casto, of, Peoria Saguaros (Nationals)

15. Neil Walker, c, Grand Canyon (Pirates)

16. Mark Reynolds, 2b, Scottsdale (Diamondbacks)

17. Nolan Reimold, of, Grand Canyon (Orioles)

18. Jeff Fiorentino, of, Grand Canyon (Orioles)

19. Brett Gardner, of, Peoria Saguaros (Yankees)

20. Eric Patterson, 2b, Mesa (Cubs)

 

RHPs Luke Hochevar, Mike Pelfrey, Phil Humber and Jeff Niemann didn't qualify because they didn't throw enough innings.

 

Baseball America[/url]"]Patterson did a little bit of everything for Mesa this fall, hitting for average with some pop and showing good speed and instincts on the bases. Patterson's best tool is his speed, which rates as a 65-70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He also has surprising power for his size, though he sometimes gets caught up too much in trying to hit homers. He made strides in knowing his role better, shortening his swing for a more gap-to-gap approach. Patterson's speed aids his range at second-base, though his first-step quickness and body control are conspicuously absent at times. His footwork around the bag is questionable, though he does have soft hands. Scouts in the AFL often compared him to a poor man's Delino Deshields as an offensive-oriented second baseman.

[Vinestal]

As the AFL season is winding down, BA did their top 20 prospects in the AFL. Only one Cub made it, and he snuck in at #20:

 

1. Troy Tulowitzki, ss, Grand Canyon (Rockies)

2. Ryan Braun, 3b, Scottsdale (Brewers)

3. Fernando Martinez, of, Mesa (Mets)

4. Jacoby Ellsbury, of, Peoria Javelinas (Red Sox)

5. Trevor Crowe, of, Peoria Javelinas (Indians)

6. Elijah Dukes, of, Phoenix (Devil Rays)

7. Hunter Pence, of, Mesa (Astros)

8. Gio Gonzalez, lhp, Peoria Saguaros (Phillies)

9. Matt Albers, rhp, Mesa (Astros)

10. Kevin Slowey, rhp, Mesa (Twins)

11. Troy Patton, lhp, Mesa (Astros)

12. Jonathan Meloan, rhp, Mesa (Dodgers)

13. Joe Koshansky, 1b, Grand Canyon (Rockies)

14. Kory Casto, of, Peoria Saguaros (Nationals)

15. Neil Walker, c, Grand Canyon (Pirates)

16. Mark Reynolds, 2b, Scottsdale (Diamondbacks)

17. Nolan Reimold, of, Grand Canyon (Orioles)

18. Jeff Fiorentino, of, Grand Canyon (Orioles)

19. Brett Gardner, of, Peoria Saguaros (Yankees)

20. Eric Patterson, 2b, Mesa (Cubs)

 

RHPs Luke Hochevar, Mike Pelfrey, Phil Humber and Jeff Niemann didn't qualify because they didn't throw enough innings.

 

Baseball America[/url]"]Patterson did a little bit of everything for Mesa this fall, hitting for average with some pop and showing good speed and instincts on the bases. Patterson's best tool is his speed, which rates as a 65-70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He also has surprising power for his size, though he sometimes gets caught up too much in trying to hit homers. He made strides in knowing his role better, shortening his swing for a more gap-to-gap approach. Patterson's speed aids his range at second-base, though his first-step quickness and body control are conspicuously absent at times. His footwork around the bag is questionable, though he does have soft hands. Scouts in the AFL often compared him to a poor man's Delino Deshields as an offensive-oriented second baseman.

 

If he has soft hands, his foot work can be retrained. Im not sure how good our infield instructors are in the minors maybe they could bring someone in specificly to work with him during the spring (Sandberg maybe). He's much more valueble as a 2nd baseman Id hate to give up on him if there is hope, if anyone would know its Sandberg. Think Eric will pop up in winterball somewhere? Or just take the next couple months off.

[Mephistopheles]

I'd like to think he would develop more power than Deline Deshields. Though I'd be thrilled if this patterson would walk 80 times a season.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Mesa loses their season finale 5-0 (7 innings), box:

 

2B E. Patterson 1/3, BB (12) SB (15)

LF S. Moore 0/1, K (28) - left game before the 3rd inning for a defensive replacement

1B J. Fox 1/3, K (11)

RP L. Holdzkom 1.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 H, 1 K/1 BB, 1 HR, 1 GO-3 FO, 1 inherited runner-1 scored, 24 pitches (14 strikes)

RP C. Pignatiello 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 GO-1 FO, 10 pitches (7 strikes)

RP C. Rapada 1 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 K/0 BB, 1 HR, 1 GO-1 FO, 29 pitches (20 strikes)

 

I'll post the final stats for the season in a bit.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Jake Fox: 16/64, .250/.294/.375/.669, 1 HBP, 3 BB, 11 K, 5 2B, 1 HR, 1/1 SB, 2 E, 3 PB

 

Scott Moore: 26/104, .250/.350/.452/.802, 1 HBP, 15 BB, 28 K, 8 2B, 2 3B, 3 HR, 4/5 SB, 3 E

 

Eric Patterson: 39/113, .345/.408/.460/.868, 12 BB, 16 K, 15/17 SB, 6 E

 

Adam Harben: 7 IP, 5 ER, 10 H, 7 K/4 BB, 6.43 ERA, 2.00 WHIP - missed last 26 days with elbow soreness

 

Lincoln Holdzkom: 20.1 IP, 19 R, 16 ER, 20 H, 19 K/9 BB, 1 HBP, 7.08 ERA, 1.43 WHIP

 

Carmen Pignatiello: 10.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 15 K/4 BB, 0.87 ERA, 0.77 WHIP

 

Clay Rapada: 14.2 IP, 5 ER, 12 H, 17 K/3 BB, 1 HBP, 3.07 ERA, 1.02 WHIP

 

Some other stats for the pitchers:

 

Harben: 1 HR, 9 GO-4 FO

Holdzkom: 3 HR, 20 GO-19 FO, 1 inherited runner - 1 scored

Pignatiello: 0 HR, 11 GO-3 FO, 6 inherited runners - 4 scored

Rapada: 1 HR, 19 GO-8 FO, 6 inherited runners - 0 scored

[CubinNY]

 

Baseball America[/url]"]Patterson did a little bit of everything for Mesa this fall, hitting for average with some pop and showing good speed and instincts on the bases. Patterson's best tool is his speed, which rates as a 65-70 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He also has surprising power for his size, though he sometimes gets caught up too much in trying to hit homers. He made strides in knowing his role better, shortening his swing for a more gap-to-gap approach. Patterson's speed aids his range at second-base, though his first-step quickness and body control are conspicuously absent at times. His footwork around the bag is questionable, though he does have soft hands. Scouts in the AFL often compared him to a poor man's Delino Deshields as an offensive-oriented second baseman.

 

A poorman's Delino Deshields is pretty poor.

 

Can footwork be taught? If so, I'd rather they keep him at second and drill the footwork. He has much less value as an OFer.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Courtesy of Ask BA...

 

With the signing of Mark DeRosa, is Eric Patterson no longer part of the Cubs' future? It looked to me as if he made steady progress and was ready to contribute soon.

 

Chris Collins

Janesville, Wis.

 

Patterson is still very much a part of the Cubs' future. He hit .276/.339/.419 with 10 homers, 60 RBIs and 46 steals in 138 games this year between Double-A West Tenn and Triple-A Iowa. He has well above-average speed and surprising power for a 5-foot-11, 175-pounder, though sometimes he has too much power for his own good. He's making strides defensively at second base.

 

But his ETA is 2008, not 2007, and after a horribly disappointing season Chicago is going all out to provide new manager Lou Piniella with enough talent to win a weakened National League Central. Unless the Cubs rushed Patterson, their other in-house options were Ronny Cedeno and Ryan Theriot.

 

While DeRosa got a three-year deal, that doesn't necessarily make him a three-year starter at second base for the Cubs. He's 31, coming off a career year and never has played regularly at second. If Patterson keeps developing, he could be Chicago's second baseman by mid-2008 or 2009, with DeRosa becoming a regular at another spot or assuming his usual utility role.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Some league leaders:

 

EPatt's .345 BA was good for 7th in the AFL, 6th in OBP (.408). His 15 SBs led the league and 39 hits tied for the league-lead.

 

Scott Moore's 3 HRs was tied for 4th with a host of other players (Chip Cannon led the AFL with 11).

 

Lincoln Holdzkom's 21 Ks was tied for 4th in the league and 2nd in BBs with 13.

[Guest]

Some league leaders:

 

EPatt's .345 BA was good for 7th in the AFL, 6th in OBP (.408). His 15 SBs led the league and 39 hits tied for the league-lead.

 

Scott Moore's 3 HRs was tied for 4th with a host of other players (Chip Cannon led the AFL with 11).

 

Lincoln Holdzkom's 21 Ks was tied for 4th in the league and 2nd in BBs with 13.

Holy crap - a baseball player named Chip Cannon led his league in HR?

 

You can't make this stuff up, people.

[MPrior]

Some league leaders:

 

EPatt's .345 BA was good for 7th in the AFL, 6th in OBP (.408). His 15 SBs led the league and 39 hits tied for the league-lead.

 

Scott Moore's 3 HRs was tied for 4th with a host of other players (Chip Cannon led the AFL with 11).

 

Lincoln Holdzkom's 21 Ks was tied for 4th in the league and 2nd in BBs with 13.

Holy crap - a baseball player named Chip Cannon led his league in HR?

 

You can't make this stuff up, people.

 

My thoughts exactly. He almost deserves a spot in the All-time cool names thread.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Eric Patterson is the only Cub to make the AFL All-Prospect Team, a team of 22 players selected by AFL managers, coaches and administrators to recognize the best performers this past AFL season.