Blocked Prospects: Eric Patterson

Don't see why the Twins would want this guy. Those positions are unsettled, but we're not really in a position where an average stopgap is all that helpful, and I don't see him being a key component later on.

Doubt the Giants would bite. Already need to give Frandsen a shot, and adding a replica player with inferior defense at his position doesn't seem to make sense.

There is no spot in the OF for him.

Tim, I just don't see an extra win or two this year as worth particularly much. Sure, if Patterson were free, I'd take him. Somebody other than the Twins is bound to be willing to trade something of moderate quality for him, and I don't see reason for MN to do that.

Rockies ? How committed are the Rockies to moving Stewart over ? Not that Stewart would be the one coming back for Patterson . The Rockies do have a surplus of outfielders .
D-Backs ? If Hudson doesn't get an extension Patterson might be a cheap replacement ,though I'm not sure how they would match up ? Buckner ?
Both trades though would more than likely happen next winter .

It's hard to project Eric Patterson's future. With that being said, it is likely that his future will not involve wearing a Chicago Cub uniform. The major reason(s) being that he doesn't display the desired defensive skills as a middle infielder while lacking the power of a corner OF position. If he were to better suited as a CF, he would have to 'wow' Cub mgt. with his defensive ability to project as a long-term solution in center. Unfortunately, I don't think Cub nation could tolerate another Patterson roaming CF without exceeding the equivalent expectations by which his brother failed. Although, I have to admit, I watched him in college and was very happy that we were able to draft him where we did and I felt he was a bargain. I still do. However, from what I have read, Tony Thomas is likely to be the likely long-term solution at 2B with his speed, athleticism, and baseball fundamentals. At this point, I feel that Eric is trade bait and would benefit a team looking for his particular skill set.

If EPatt is considered so valuable, then the least we could do is try and turn him and murton for a pitching prospect. I think the stigma is just his last name for Cubs fans. They don't want to be dissappointed twice, so lets use him as a simple trading chip.

Hartley:

Don't take offense to the conclusion that Patterson has a horrible attitude, it is true. Not just because he was late a lot. His tardiness is indicative of his bigger problem, he won't change for anybody. In college he was a strict pull hitter who, despite his smaller size and lack of pure power, continually swung for the fences. This is problematic because a warning track fly-out makes ZERO use of his great speed. At Ga. Tech and in the Minors with the Cubs, coaches have continually tried to chagne his approach, but he refuses to change it. Who does he think he is?

Remember how Jacque Jones loved to ground out to 2B 2 or 3 times a game? Well get ready for E-Patt to do that, but not be able to go the other way occasionally. Unfortunately he is a 4OF at best, simply because refuses to change his game to the advatnage of his speed. Sounds a lot liek hsi brother really, who refused to legitimately try to be a lead off hitter.

As an average hitter at second base and poor fielder, he's not really a good stopgap, which is why a rebuilding team like the Twins or the Orioles should not want him. If you're trying to bring young pitchers along, you could stomach a good fielding, poor hitting middle infield stopgap, but not the reverse. And he wouldn't even be a good hitter. Center field is somewhat the same, though I know E.Patterson doesn't project as a poor fielder there. Still, you'd rather have a good fielder, for similar reasons to why you'd want a good fielder at second. And all reports I've read do suggest a HORRIBLE attitude. So, why bother, except if he's free?

Eric was late, that doesn't mean he has a horrible attitude. He was the 1st position player at ST this year and called a meeting with lou and hendry, and told him he has learned from last year and he is ready to compete.

Depends on his offensive output. I think he would be league average at worst, but he has hit at every level he has been at. He sounds a lot like Alfonso Soriano at his age...but he will never have that much power. He is faster though...really fast. I'd say if he realizes his potential, he would be a average defensive 2nd basement that put up a line of

.310/.370/.450 or so...and would be a terriffic lead off hitter.

A lot depends on him getting average defensively though, that would do a lot for his value.

I think he's a lot like his brother: good athelete, but unable to really find a position and will never quite relize his full potential. I'd look for him to be a backup OF or something.

I know this a is a bit of a stretch but since you mentioned Cubs, Giants & Prospects I was wondering what the Cubs fan take on Scott Moor is? With Ramirez at third and Lee at first he would seem to have a tough row to hoe in order to make the big club.

Of coarse this is all theoretical from a Giants fans point of view because out front office does not trade for prospects.

Yup Studio. Which is why I don’t offer opinions here much out side of the few teams I can am more then conversant about. I also figured some of the Cubs followers would have take on him since he was in the system a few years. In just a general baseball way he interests me because he is in his third franchise to get to his cup of coffee at the bigs but he is still young. I know it a bit of topic.

The Cubs signed Ramirez to 4 years in the '06 offseason and then took a 3B in Vitters with the 3rd overall pick last draft. They have Lee at first and Scott had nowhere else he could switch to as a position. Moore was going nowhere with the Cubs. Maybe he gets some playing time in Baltimore.

I'd like to add that I saw Lou Pinella hit in his prime with K.C. amd N.Y. If anyone ever asked me who are the top ten batters you've ever seen - Then Mr Piniella would be in there - the guy could flat out hit

But as a manager, Piniella diappoints me. He sucks up to his highest paid guys - like Siriano who has no business hitting leadoff. Piniella is a major disappointment as a manager, he's a kiss-ass to his highest paid boys.

Great stuff today Tim! I especially like this new Blocked Prospects segment. Keep up the good work.

His projected offensive numbers are league average and he hasn't even played in the bigs yet! That means with maturity he woudl be putting up much better than league average numbers with a bunch of stolen bases on top. He has the potential to make up for below average defense, and time to work on that defense as well.