Eric Patterson worship thread

[nilodnayr]

PECOTA absolutely loves Patterson for some weird reason.

 

Especially when you look at his similarity index and comparable list...it just doesn't compute.

[TruffleShuffle]

PECOTA absolutely loves Patterson for some weird reason.

 

Especially when you look at his similarity index and comparable list...it just doesn't compute.

 

intangibles

[TruffleShuffle]

.398/.438/.688/1.126 with 21 runs, 4 doubles, 4 triples, 5 HR, 23 RBI in 23 games this month. Player of the Month candidate? If he rakes the next few games I think he's got a shot.

[seanimal]

.398/.438/.688/1.126 with 21 runs, 4 doubles, 4 triples, 5 HR, 23 RBI in 23 games this month. Player of the Month candidate? If he rakes the next few games I think he's got a shot.

 

:shock:

[killthegoat06]

Will Eric be ready to start at 2B for the Major League Club next year?

[RichHillIsABeast]

How's EPatt's defense at 2B? Are there still concerns about him sticking there?

 

His bat seems to have really come along.

[biittner77]

Why has Patterson been playing the OF the last few games? Is Iowa shorthanded? Is this some kind of showcase ofr an upcoming trade?

 

I can't see Patterson being an every day MLB OF. He certainly won't surplant Pie. With Fox being coverted to OF, Murton already on the MLB roster and Colvin behind him, long term it makes no sense playing Patterson in the OF.

[E.J.]

Why has Patterson been playing the OF the last few games? Is Iowa shorthanded? Is this some kind of showcase ofr an upcoming trade?

 

I can't see Patterson being an every day MLB OF. He certainly won't surplant Pie. With Fox being coverted to OF, Murton already on the MLB roster and Colvin behind him, long term it makes no sense playing Patterson in the OF.

 

Well that, and the fact that he loses all value if he's moved to the outfield because he doesn't hit enough. The Cubs have shown over and over again that they are run by a bunch of idiots. There is absolutely no reason for Epatt to play any other position other than 2b. Just stupid.

[Guest]

Why has Patterson been playing the OF the last few games? Is Iowa shorthanded? Is this some kind of showcase ofr an upcoming trade?

 

I can't see Patterson being an every day MLB OF. He certainly won't surplant Pie. With Fox being coverted to OF, Murton already on the MLB roster and Colvin behind him, long term it makes no sense playing Patterson in the OF.

 

There have been some major questions about his defense and the Cubs talked about having to move him to the OF during the offseason. Does seem strange that they'd make the move in the offseason, though. Hopefully the Cubs are just trying improve his versatility and it's not a move necessitated by his defense because he has little value in the OF.

[JeffH]

It's part of the Chicago Cubs' systematic plan to ruin the value of every promising young player in the organization.

[Guest]

Found this at Road to Wrigley (part of Cub Reporter):

 

Saturday night I got to sit and talk with Eric Patterson for about fifteen minutes in the Iowa bullpen while the Oklahoma Redhawks took batting practice.

 

I wanted to feel him out about his recent defensive [out] field trips. I was probing for some sign of discontent, looking for the body language of a disgruntled young infield refugee.

 

But the affable Patterson wouldn’t bite. His practiced answers were right down the company line. Yes, he’d prefer to remain at second base, but if becoming a serviceable outfielder and a more versatile ballplayer hastens a promotion to the big leagues, he’s all for it.

 

He claims no one in the Cub organization has ever flat out told him he’s blocked at second base or that he’s defensively lacking at that position, but he’s succumbing to the power of the suggestion that versatility might be the ticket that gets him where he wants to go.

 

“[Cubs’ farm system boss]Oneri Flieta told me in the Arizona Fall League that the more positions you can play, the better your chances are.” recalled Patterson. “It’s something I’ve been working on for awhile now in drills and pregame, and just lately they’ve started putting me out there in games.” Then he paused and grinned widely before adding, “Obviously, it’s still a work in progress.”

 

He’s right about that. He’s still unsure of himself in the outfield. After misplaying a ball in left on Friday night, he played center on Saturday while Felix Pie rested. In the first inning he deferred to Mike Kinkade after seeming to raise his arm to claim a lazy fly to left-center that his speed could easily have gotten him to and it dropped for a hit.

 

He’ll get better. He expects to. He is confident but not impatient.

 

http://mvn.com/milb-cubs/

 

Makes me a bit more disappointed in the move, sure doesn't sound like defense was a problem.

[TruffleShuffle]

great, they're trying to turn a promising young second baseman into a utility player.

[cubweiser03]

Ronny Cedeno is the one who should be cast in the role of utility player. Both Fontenot and EPatt should be placed above Cedeno in terms of letting them play their approriate positions and allowing them to maximize their potential. Now i understand Fontenot is better served defensivley at 2b but he at least can play SS unlike EPatt, so it goes him at ss and EPatt at 2b. Why is Cedeno throwing the wrench in this whole thing. I scratch my head about this.

[rawaction]

Yeah, Eric will never be good enough defensively for CF. He has 0 value as a corner OF, because he won't hit for nearly enough power. Eric Patterson at 2B = good chance to be an above average 2B in the MLB. Eric Patterson in LF= good chance at a 10 year AAA career.

[seanimal]

Lets draft every Patterson that ever enters the draft and just ruin them

[TruffleShuffle]

Lets draft every Patterson that ever enters the draft and just ruin them

 

seriously. The Cubs so rarely develop young, promising offensive players, and now that they have one they're going to screw it up. What's the point?

[TruffleShuffle]

Will Eric be ready to start at 2B for the Major League Club next year?

 

If you believe PECOTA, he was ready this year. His 2007 PECOTA was 293/358/497 (855 OPS) with a .280 EqA, and they have him putting up similar numbers for the next five years. It also had him tied with Daisuke among 2007 rookies for highest VORP.

[TruffleShuffle]

thought I would give this one a little bumparoo.

 

Statistically, Eric hasn't had a great June -- only at 253/340/446/786 -- but there's reason to be excited. He had a poor April, with a sub-700 OPS and a 16/5 K/BB ratio. Some of that might be due to dealing with an illness and subsequent death in the family, for which he missed some time in (I believe) late April and early May.

 

Since then, the numbers have picked up, but most importantly for me is the approach at the plate. In May and June, his ratios for K/BB have been 16/11 and 11/11, respectively. This works out to a walk rate of about 1 per 10 PAs, and a strikeout roughly once every 8.2 PAs. This is a pretty significant improvement in his strikeout rate, which probably is the biggest criticism of his ability as a hitter. With a more normal BABIP, he'd be having a very good June. So I think he's continuing to grow as a hitter - possibly another positive contribution by Von Joshua.

[CoolHandLuke]

I like Epatt. Everyday second baseman next year?

[BDWeav71]

thought I would give this one a little bumparoo.

 

Statistically, Eric hasn't had a great June -- only at 253/340/446/786 -- but there's reason to be excited. He had a poor April, with a sub-700 OPS and a 16/5 K/BB ratio. Some of that might be due to dealing with an illness and subsequent death in the family, for which he missed some time in (I believe) late April and early May.

 

Since then, the numbers have picked up, but most importantly for me is the approach at the plate. In May and June, his ratios for K/BB have been 16/11 and 11/11, respectively. This works out to a walk rate of about 1 per 10 PAs, and a strikeout roughly once every 8.2 PAs. This is a pretty significant improvement in his strikeout rate, which probably is the biggest criticism of his ability as a hitter. With a more normal BABIP, he'd be having a very good June. So I think he's continuing to grow as a hitter - possibly another positive contribution by Von Joshua.

 

 

Wow, thats quite an improvement. Based on his numbers, its only a matter of time before he starts hitting for a higher average. Thanks for the heads up.

 

PS I'm happy the rumors of him being involved in the Barrett trade were just that, rumors.

[Productive Outs]

thought I would give this one a little bumparoo.

 

Statistically, Eric hasn't had a great June -- only at 253/340/446/786 -- but there's reason to be excited. He had a poor April, with a sub-700 OPS and a 16/5 K/BB ratio. Some of that might be due to dealing with an illness and subsequent death in the family, for which he missed some time in (I believe) late April and early May.

 

Since then, the numbers have picked up, but most importantly for me is the approach at the plate. In May and June, his ratios for K/BB have been 16/11 and 11/11, respectively. This works out to a walk rate of about 1 per 10 PAs, and a strikeout roughly once every 8.2 PAs. This is a pretty significant improvement in his strikeout rate, which probably is the biggest criticism of his ability as a hitter. With a more normal BABIP, he'd be having a very good June. So I think he's continuing to grow as a hitter - possibly another positive contribution by Von Joshua.

 

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/tdob/epatt.jpg

 

gotta love firstinning

[TruffleShuffle]

http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t6/tdob/epatt.jpg

 

gotta love firstinning

 

Given his minor league stats and his profile - lefthanded batter with good speed - I'd expect him to be a guy who consistently is above league average in BABIP. Here are his BABIP numbers:

 

2005:

Lansing: .403 :shock: :shock:

WT: .261

 

2006:

WT: .311

Iowa: .393

 

2007:

Iowa: .321

[killthegoat06]

I know there is a thread on him but I couldn't find it. How long until Epatt is ready to come up? Would he be ready when the rosters expand this season? thanks. Can he play SS?

[UMFan83]

I would say barring injury he wouldn't be up until roster expansion. But thats just my guess. I think they are trying to convert him to an OF.

[E.J.]

I doubt he can play SS. He is definitely good enough an athlete to play the position, but for some reason he struggles on defense. It's gotten to the point where the Cubs have tried him in the outfield at times this year. I don't know what kind of arm he has though, so he might not have the arm strength to play SS. 2nd base is natural position though, so he's blocked by quite a few other guys. He's got more upside than Theriot and Fontenot though.

 

That being said, I'd love to have him up with the big club leading off and playing 2nd base. Send down Theriot.

Edited July 2, 2007 by E.J.