Corey Patterson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Chicago Cubs #1 prospect in 2001
  When the Cubs signed Patterson to a club-record $3.7 million bonus in 1998, then-scouting director Jim Hendry told club president Andy MacPhail that Patterson would reach the majors within three years. He beat that timetable, arriving last September and hitting his first two big league homers off Juan Acevedo and Alan Benes. Patterson wouldn't have been at Wrigley Field had he made the U.S. Olympic team, but he was chosen only as an alternate and declined. That was the only disappointment in 2000 as he jumped from low Class A to Double-A West Tenn. One of the youngest players in the Southern League, he was batting just .243-6-28 at the end of May before finishing with a .274-16-54 surge over the final three months. He finished second in the league in homers and fourth in RBI, and managers rated him the circuit's top prospect. Patterson offers the best combination of athleticism and baseball skills of any prospect in the game. He's the best hitter, the fastest runner and the top outfield defender in the organization. His other two tools, power and arm strength, are both above-average. His top-of-the-line speed is probably his most impressive physical asset, and he has a chiseled physique with biceps that seem a couple of sizes too large for his 5-foot-10 frame. Patterson has more than held his own while being rushed through the minors, and the Cubs love his makeup. He still has to work on the nuances of the game. He has batted just .195 against lefthanders as a pro. He needs to tighten his plate discipline, and his ability to drive pitches that are out of the strike zone actually hampers his ability to draw walks. Despite his blazing speed, he wasn't a particularly effective basestealer in 2000, getting caught 14 times in 41 attempts. Chicago believes Patterson can correct all of those flaws with more experience. They're understandable, considering his age and how much he has been pushed. If the Cubs trade Sammy Sosa, they'll market Patterson as the cornerstone of the franchise. That would be premature, as his struggles against southpaws show he's not ready to play regularly in the majors quite yet. While he could make Chicago's Opening Day roster if he performs well in spring training, Patterson would be better served by at least half a season in Triple-A to catch his breath. When he puts it all together, he should be one of the game's superstars.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #1 prospect in 1999
  Background: The third pick (and first high schooler) in the 1998 draft, Patterson has been well known to scouts since his freshman year in high school. Unlike many phenoms, he only got better under the spotlight. In front of more than 100 scouts at a summer showcase after his junior year, he was clocked at a blazing 6.38 seconds over 60 yards. As a senior, Patterson added power to his resume, hitting 22 home runs in just 123 high school at-bats. Patterson sat out all summer and was rewarded by the Cubs, who signed him to a unique contract that guarantees him $3.7 million over the next five years--the largest bonus in draft history. Though he didn't play football as a high school senior, Patterson was regarded as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the country. Because the letter-of-intent he signed at Georgia Tech stated he was welcome to play both baseball and football, the Cubs took advantage of baseball's dual-sport contract language to construct a five-year payout. Strengths: With his increased strength and power potential, Patterson is a legitimate five-tool talent. Despite his superior speed and athletic skills, the Cubs have focused on his hitting ability as his most immediate, high-ceiling skill. Patterson's swing is short and direct--and he generates surprising power for a player his size. Defensively, he is a pure center fielder with average to above-average arm strength and the ability to chase down balls in the gaps. Weaknesses: An athlete of Patterson's caliber often runs into one of three pitfalls: injuries, adjustment problems or hitting difficulty. Patterson has never been seriously hurt and he sat out his senior football season in large part to lessen the risk of injury. He should be well adjusted to all the attention he'll receive since he has played in countless national-level events. And as a hitter, he already shows an advanced knowledge of controlling the strike zone and making contact. The Future: While his speed is ideal for a leadoff hitter, Patterson's power and overall hitting ability could make him better suited for the No. 3 spot in the order. He will start his pro career in the Class A Midwest League but the Cubs will move him aggressively as he proves he can handle each level of competition.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pacific Coast League #3 prospect in 2001
  Patterson remains one of baseball's premium young talents, but his less-than-inspiring performance in the PCL added a few more doubters to the bandwagon. His average slipped for the second straight year, and more notably his run production was way off. The Cubs called him up at the end of June and again in the middle of August, and some thought the constant distraction of whether he was ready for Wrigley Field wore on him. "I didn't think he was quite ready for the big leagues," one manager said. "When your team's going good like they're doing in Chicago, it's mostly a matter of fitting the pieces in and hoping they perform. I think Corey will perform there eventually, but not yet." As Patterson showed in both Iowa and Chicago, he hasn't figured out how to attack advanced pitching. His tools are still hard to argue with, as he has great speed and defensive instincts that make him useful in the big leagues despite his struggles with the bat. He has a good stroke and power potential, and should come around with more at-bats.
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  Ranked Southern League #1 prospect in 2000
  Chicago hasn't been afraid to push Patterson. He made his pro debut in the low Class A Midwest League in 1999, bypassing Rookie ball despite being a teenager, then skipped a level and spent this year in Double-A at age 20. He probably would have been in the majors earlier than September had Cubs manager Don Baylor had his way. Patterson started slow, not surprising considering his age and inexperience, but finished strong. He still needs to iron out some flaws in his game, such as his strike-zone discipline, basestealing skills and ability to hit lefthanders. There's also no denying that he made strides in those areas. He's a legitimate five-tool prospect with blazing speed, power, hitting ability, quality center-field defense and a solid arm. Though Patterson homered twice in his first six games with Chicago following his callup, a little Triple-A seasoning next year wouldn't hurt.
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #1 prospect in 1999
  very manager agreed that it won't take long for Patterson to roam the outfield at Wrigley Field. Patterson, the third overall pick in the 1998 draft, certainly made his presence known around the Midwest League in his professional debut. Patterson was one of the league's few potential five-tool prospects. He can run down any fly ball. He has an above-average arm, lightning speed and a solid bat. He finished fifth in the league in batting, third in homers, first in triples, first in extra base-hits (72), sixth in slugging percentage (.592) and fifth in runs scored. There wasn't much Patterson couldn't--or didn't--do, except walk. He drew just 25 while striking out 85 times. Still, the season was an impressive introduction into professional baseball. "He's a good-looking athlete and everything he does looks easy," Michigan manager Al Pedrique said. "He's the type that can make adjustments quickly. He's going to be a solid major league player in the near future."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #2 prospect in 2001
• Ranked Baseball America's #3 prospect in 2000
• Ranked Baseball America's #16 prospect in 1999

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Chicago hasn't been afraid to push Patterson. He made his pro debut in the low Class A Midwest League in 1999, bypassing Rookie ball despite being a teenager, then skipped a level and spent this year in Double-A at age 20. He probably would have been in the majors earlier than September had Cubs manager Don Baylor had his way. Patterson started slow, not surprising considering his age and inexperience, but finished strong. He still needs to iron out some flaws in his game, such as his strike-zone discipline, basestealing skills and ability to hit lefthanders. There's also no denying that he made strides in those areas. He's a legitimate five-tool prospect with blazing speed, power, hitting ability, quality center-field defense and a solid arm. Though Patterson homered twice in his first six games with Chicago following his callup, a little Triple-A seasoning next year wouldn't hurt.