Insider Insight.......
Proper Name: Donald Corey Patterson
Born: August 13, 1979
Atlanta, GA
Height: 5-9
Weight: 180 lbs.
Age: 26
Pronounced: N/A Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Pos: CF
Experience: 5 years
2005 Salary: $2,800,000
College: N/A FANTASY
Percent Owned (Week +/-):
MLB: 41.1% (0.0%)
NL Only: 91.8% (0.0%)
Avg. Draft Position:
MLB: 44.0
NL Only: 20.9
AVG .215 | HR 13 | RBI 34
Profile Stats Splits GameLog Bat vs. Pitch News Fantasy
Scouting Report
2004 Season
After undergoing knee surgery in July of 2003, Corey Patterson worked hard in the offseason and looked as if he hadn't lost a step of speed in center field or running the bases. He began the year as the Cubs' No. 2 hitter, but manager Dusty Baker made a bold move on August 1, putting the free-swinging Patterson in the leadoff spot. For a month, Patterson tore things up, but he cooled considerably in September.
Hitting
There's nothing Patterson can't do as a hitter. He can hit line drives, bunt for base hits and hit for power. He just needs to do it all more consistently. His main problems are a lack of patience, poor command of the strike zone and a stubborn streak that can serve him well or hold him back. Patterson is a free swinger who will jump on anything that looks good to him early in the count. He's susceptible to high fastballs out of the zone, especially with two strikes. He has improved markedly against lefthanded pitchers, hitting 31 points higher vs. southpaws last season than he did against righties.
Baserunning & Defense
Though not yet in the category of Andruw Jones or Jim Edmonds as a defensive center fielder, Patterson isn't far behind. He has great speed, something he has needed with Moises Alou and Sammy Sosa flanking him. Patterson's throwing arm is a good one. He led the Cubs with a career-best 32 stolen bases, and he's getting better every day at reading pitchers' moves.
2005 Outlook
GM Jim Hendry, who drafted Patterson in 1998, says he believes Patterson is capable of batting anywhere in the order and succeeding. If the Cubs can obtain a better leadoff man, it's possible Patterson could move to the No. 3 spot, a place manager Dusty Baker said he eventually envisions Patterson. If Patterson can become more selective at the plate, he is a potential 30-30 man and an All-Star.