Blog Red Machine
FanSided

Cincinnati Reds: Jordan Patterson claimed off waivers

ByJared Roberts|
GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 27: Jordan Patterson #72 of the Colorado Rockies bats in the fourth inning during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on February 27, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 27: Jordan Patterson #72 of the Colorado Rockies bats in the fourth inning during a spring training game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Camelback Ranch on February 27, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Rob Tringali/Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Reds claimed prospect Jordan Patterson off waivers from the New York Mets.

Yesterday the Cincinnati Reds claimed Jordan Patterson, a first baseman and outfielder, off waivers from the New York Mets. Interestingly, the Mets had just claimed Patterson off waivers from the Colorado Rockies who drafted him in the 4th Round of the 2013 MLB Draft.

Who is Jordan Patterson? He was a player without a position in a loaded Rockies’ outfield. Coming out of the University of South Alabama, the 6’4″, 200-pound hitter was known as a cannon-armed, strong ballplayer with a line drive swing.

In his first try at the professional ranks, he was able to keep up that billing in the minors. In 2013, while playing Rookie-level for the Grand Junction Rockies, Patterson slashed .291/.389/.495 with 10 home runs and 10 steals. In 2014, he promoted to the Class-A Ashland Tourist where he slashed .278/.359/.430 with 14 homers and 25 stolen bases.

FanSided

  • Mookie Betts trades bat for T.J. Friedl’s first career home run like a class actFanSided
  • What would the MLB playoff bracket look like if season ended today?FanSided
  • NL Wild Card: Five teams enter, one team emergesCall to the Pen
  • Nick Castellanos honors 9/11 victims and there's a drive into deep left fieldFanSided
  • MLB hypocrisy on Pete Rose shines through with betting windowsCall to the Pen

    • Patterson capped off his 2015 minor league season with a promotion from Advanced-A Modesto to Double-A New Britain of the Eastern League. Patterson combined to slash .295/.364/.543 with 17 home runs and 75 RBIs.

    Graduating to Triple-A in 2016, Patterson earned a call up to the big leagues with the Rockies and over 19 plate appearances slashed .444/.474/.500. The talent is evident in the numbers this young man has put up at the minor league level.

    Jordan Patterson had been blocked in a crowded Colorado outfield for the last two seasons, with younger prospects like David Dahl actually getting call ups over him. Ultimately, this led the Rockies organization to remove him from their 40-man roster.

    His Triple-A line .282/.363/.516 over 3 seasons with the Albuquerque Isotopes, including back-2-back 26 HR seasons the last two years shows he has nothing left to prove at that level. So now the soon to be 27-year-old might have a chance to earn a job in the Major Leagues with the Cincinnati Reds. Fortunately for Patterson, no corner outfielder on the Reds possesses the plus-arm that he has.

    If Patterson gets a shot in Spring Training and receives enough at-bats, he may force himself into the Reds lineup with his great arm and extra-base hit potential. His plus raw power will translate in games as his loft swing gets excellent carry on line drives and fly balls. He’ll have to battle to make the roster with the like of Scott Schebler, Jesse Winker, and Phillip Ervin likely ahead of him when Spring Training starts.

    The situation with Patterson is slightly similar to Adam Duvall when he first came to Cincinnati. Just like Duvall, who was blocked in San Francisco’s crowded outfield, Patterson may blossom if given an opportunity with the Reds.

    While his swing does get a little long sometimes leading to strikeouts, Patterson’s may be a better hitter than Duvall. Adam Duvall was fortunate enough to get 150 starts for the Reds in his 2015 All-Star season. If Patterson can get that type of opportunity, he could end up being a steal for the Cincinnati Reds.

    Home/Reds News

    Schedule