Rotoworld's Top 150.

[YearofDaCubs]

Pie, Veal, Pawelek, Gallagher and Patterson on the list.

 

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/features/column.aspx?sport=MLB&columnid=2&articleid=27859

[RyCubsFan]

Only the Braves, Diamondbacks, and Rockies have more in the NL...and arguably Samardzzzzjaaaa and Colvin could be on the list as well...

[Outshined_One]

Can someone please explain to me why the heck Fernando Martinez is getting such an ungodly amount of hype?

[CuseCubFan69]

Can someone please explain to me why the heck Fernando Martinez is getting such an ungodly amount of hype?

 

Because it's fun to say Fernando.

 

What were the problems that Patterson had at second fielding wise? I'm just wondering since he would be a nice player to have at second and I've read about this possible switch to the OF.

[CubinNY]

Can someone please explain to me why the heck Fernando Martinez is getting such an ungodly amount of hype?

 

Because it's fun to say Fernando.

 

What were the problems that Patterson had at second fielding wise? I'm just wondering since he would be a nice player to have at second and I've read about this possible switch to the OF.

 

IMO, they are largely overblown. I think he had a bad week and a half stretch where he had multiple error games, but was fine before and after. I do think I've read he needs to work on his feet, but I think most of his errors were throwing, but I could be wrong.

[CuseCubFan69]

Can someone please explain to me why the heck Fernando Martinez is getting such an ungodly amount of hype?

 

Because it's fun to say Fernando.

 

What were the problems that Patterson had at second fielding wise? I'm just wondering since he would be a nice player to have at second and I've read about this possible switch to the OF.

 

IMO, they are largely overblown. I think he had a bad week and a half stretch where he had multiple error games, but was fine before and after. I do think I've read he needs to work on his feet, but I think most of his errors were throwing, but I could be wrong.

 

We've all gone through stretches like that and he seems like a kid that would be able to fix a problem like that. Thanks.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Can someone please explain to me why the heck Fernando Martinez is getting such an ungodly amount of hype?

 

He was paid a big bonus, had a good season at low-A at age 17, has a high ceiling and has a relatively good idea at the plate.

[Outshined_One]

Can someone please explain to me why the heck Fernando Martinez is getting such an ungodly amount of hype?

 

He was paid a big bonus, had a good season at low-A at age 17, has a high ceiling and has a relatively good idea at the plate.

 

You forgot the fact that he's a Met. If he were a Royal, he wouldn't be sniffing this list.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Can someone please explain to me why the heck Fernando Martinez is getting such an ungodly amount of hype?

 

He was paid a big bonus, had a good season at low-A at age 17, has a high ceiling and has a relatively good idea at the plate.

 

You forgot the fact that he's a Met. If he were a Royal, he wouldn't be sniffing this list.

 

Given the money and hype he got before he signed, I think he'd be high on lists either way (maybe not as high since he's a Met).

[NCCubFan]

What were the problems that Patterson had at second fielding wise? I'm just wondering since he would be a nice player to have at second and I've read about this possible switch to the OF.

 

IMO, they are largely overblown. I think he had a bad week and a half stretch where he had multiple error games, but was fine before and after.

One of those games was a game I went to at Carolina. I believe he had three errors total that game, including two in one inning.

[CubColtPacer]

What were the problems that Patterson had at second fielding wise? I'm just wondering since he would be a nice player to have at second and I've read about this possible switch to the OF.

 

IMO, they are largely overblown. I think he had a bad week and a half stretch where he had multiple error games, but was fine before and after.

One of those games was a game I went to at Carolina. I believe he had three errors total that game, including two in one inning.

 

I think it was rather ironic that on the day this question was asked he commits 2 errors.

[NCCubFan]

What were the problems that Patterson had at second fielding wise? I'm just wondering since he would be a nice player to have at second and I've read about this possible switch to the OF.

 

IMO, they are largely overblown. I think he had a bad week and a half stretch where he had multiple error games, but was fine before and after.

One of those games was a game I went to at Carolina. I believe he had three errors total that game, including two in one inning.

 

I think it was rather ironic that on the day this question was asked he commits 2 errors.

Maybe he reads this board and this thread got in his mind. :D

[CubinNY]

What were the problems that Patterson had at second fielding wise? I'm just wondering since he would be a nice player to have at second and I've read about this possible switch to the OF.

 

IMO, they are largely overblown. I think he had a bad week and a half stretch where he had multiple error games, but was fine before and after.

One of those games was a game I went to at Carolina. I believe he had three errors total that game, including two in one inning.

 

I think it was rather ironic that on the day this question was asked he commits 2 errors.

Maybe he reads this board and this thread got in his mind. :D

Or I am the Cubs freaking jinx.

[Bruno7481]

Can someone please explain to me why the heck Fernando Martinez is getting such an ungodly amount of hype?

 

Because it's fun to say Fernando.

 

What were the problems that Patterson had at second fielding wise? I'm just wondering since he would be a nice player to have at second and I've read about this possible switch to the OF.

 

IMO, they are largely overblown. I think he had a bad week and a half stretch where he had multiple error games, but was fine before and after. I do think I've read he needs to work on his feet, but I think most of his errors were throwing, but I could be wrong.

 

Just because someone is getting charged with an "error" does not necessarilly mean they are good fielder. There could still be plenty of bad habits visible.

 

Playing 2B, if footwork is a problem, that would be something that could hold him back.

[Laura]

Over the past two seasons, the organization has had put in extra time on his footwork and ball-handling / turning the DP, which is some indication that they'd like to see improvement. He's also been promoted regularly throughout that timeframe, so it hasn't held him back to date.

 

AZ Phil has been posting spring training home game reviews at The Cub Reporter. They're well worth reading, particularly for those games that aren't televised. He wrote this in today's game recap:

 

I have said this before and I will say it again. Watching Eric Patterson try to play 2B is like watching a two-guard try to play point guard. Except instead of turnovers, you get errors. But since the Cubs have zero room for E-Pat in the outfield, I guess they will just have to hope he gets a lot better at 2B. The thing is, Patterson has plus-range and his arm is OK, he just has no “ball-handling” aptitude whatsoever. But he is also a VERY good all-around offensive player, and is probably very close to being ready for the big leagues right now (at least offensively), and he will make an excellent #2 hitter behind Soriano some day soon, once the Cubs figure out where to play him. (BTW, is it too late for the N. L. to adopt the DH?)

 

I'd urge anyone with questions or comments about his review to post them over at that blog -- link above. He is conscientious about responding to posters.

[CoolHandLuke]

Over the past two seasons, the organization has had put in extra time on his footwork and ball-handling / turning the DP, which is some indication that they'd like to see improvement. He's also been promoted regularly throughout that timeframe, so it hasn't held him back to date.

 

AZ Phil has been posting spring training home game reviews at The Cub Reporter. They're well worth reading, particularly for those games that aren't televised. He wrote this in today's game recap:

 

I have said this before and I will say it again. Watching Eric Patterson try to play 2B is like watching a two-guard try to play point guard. Except instead of turnovers, you get errors. But since the Cubs have zero room for E-Pat in the outfield, I guess they will just have to hope he gets a lot better at 2B. The thing is, Patterson has plus-range and his arm is OK, he just has no “ball-handling” aptitude whatsoever. But he is also a VERY good all-around offensive player, and is probably very close to being ready for the big leagues right now (at least offensively), and he will make an excellent #2 hitter behind Soriano some day soon, once the Cubs figure out where to play him. (BTW, is it too late for the N. L. to adopt the DH?)

 

I'd urge anyone with questions or comments about his review to post them over at that blog -- link above. He is conscientious about responding to posters.

 

The report makes me sad. I want him to play 2B

[CuseCubFan69]

Over the past two seasons, the organization has had put in extra time on his footwork and ball-handling / turning the DP, which is some indication that they'd like to see improvement. He's also been promoted regularly throughout that timeframe, so it hasn't held him back to date.

 

AZ Phil has been posting spring training home game reviews at The Cub Reporter. They're well worth reading, particularly for those games that aren't televised. He wrote this in today's game recap:

 

I have said this before and I will say it again. Watching Eric Patterson try to play 2B is like watching a two-guard try to play point guard. Except instead of turnovers, you get errors. But since the Cubs have zero room for E-Pat in the outfield, I guess they will just have to hope he gets a lot better at 2B. The thing is, Patterson has plus-range and his arm is OK, he just has no “ball-handling” aptitude whatsoever. But he is also a VERY good all-around offensive player, and is probably very close to being ready for the big leagues right now (at least offensively), and he will make an excellent #2 hitter behind Soriano some day soon, once the Cubs figure out where to play him. (BTW, is it too late for the N. L. to adopt the DH?)

 

I'd urge anyone with questions or comments about his review to post them over at that blog -- link above. He is conscientious about responding to posters.

 

The report makes me sad. I want him to play 2B

 

Me too but you know I have a lot of faith in Tremmell and I hope he can help him with this.

[mg420]

i think in 2008 we will see epat starting at 2b & pie in cf with jones traded, soriano in rf & murton in LF.

[TruffleShuffle]

supposedly he was an average to just above average fielder in college... i think he's a good enough athlete that he can improve with the proper coaching (which he probably won't get, since he's in the cubs organization). Still, the comment about hoping that he can stick at 2B makes no sense. If he has no "ball-handling aptitude" - which I assume means that his hands are lousy - then he won't stick at any position except maybe 1B, and he doesn't have enough bat to play there. CF still need to catch and field ground balls, too.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

supposedly he was an average to just above average fielder in college... i think he's a good enough athlete that he can improve with the proper coaching (which he probably won't get, since he's in the cubs organization). Still, the comment about hoping that he can stick at 2B makes no sense. If he has no "ball-handling aptitude" - which I assume means that his hands are lousy - then he won't stick at any position except maybe 1B, and he doesn't have enough bat to play there. CF still need to catch and field ground balls, too.

 

Having bad hands is not that big an issue in the OF, especially when compared to an IF position. Bad hands doesn't generally refer to catching the ball (which EPatt can do well anyways), and the groundballs are fewer and there isn't the pressure to field it and turn and throw out a guy right away like there is when you're in the IF.