Cory Patton

OF Cory Patton isn't going to win any beauty contests, but he swings one of meanest bats in Texas. Patton, who has a 5-foot-10, 210-pound frame that one scout compared to Matt Stairs', was the National Junior College Athletic Association's player of the year in 2002, when he hit .463 and led national juco players with 31 homes and 119 RBIs at Seward County (Kan.) CC. He led Texas A&M with 13 homers and 58 RBIs last year, which got him drafted in the sixth round by the Padres. But Patton was getting married and had no desire to sign last summer. He is having a similar season this year, hitting .341-11-64 with good plate discipline (32 walks, 20 strikeouts), and could get drafted in the same area. He runs and moves OK for his size and has a plus arm in right field. He went 8-1 on the mound in 2002, with his fastball clocked at 88-89 mph.