Down but not out: Troy Patton
Over the next few weeks, MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski will introduce us to some of the Bird's latest acquisitions. Today we take a look at left handed pitcher Troy Patton.
It says a lot about a young pitcher's talent, when a team wants him even though they know he is injured.
That was the case with the Orioles and 22-year-old lefty Troy Patton. He was sought by the O's and included in the package of players Baltimore got from Houston for Miguel Tejada, even though the O's feared Patton may not pitch at all in 2008.
About a week ago, tests revealed Patton will need surgery on a torn labrum. A full recovery is expected and his first outing for his new organization will now happen in 2009.
Patton began last season in AA ball and ended it in the majors. He was a top candidate for the O's 5th starter spot, before the injury news. Baseball America ranks him as the 3rd best prospect in the O's organization, behind only Matt Wieters and Radhames Liz.
Patton began last year at AA ball and for Corpus Christi, was 6-6 2.99 in 16 starts. He then went to AAA and for Round Rock in 8 starts, was 4-2 4.59 He made his big-league debut last August and in 3 games, 2 starts, with Houston, was 0-2 3.55. He gave up 10 hits over 12.2 innings and took a one-hitter into the 6th in a start at Wrigley Field on September first. But about a week later, he was shut down for the season with left bicep tendinitis.
Patton was a 9th-round pick by the Astros in 2004 and over the next three years would put up some stellar numbers at various levels.
He made his pro debut in 2004 and helped Greenville to the Appy League title, going 2-2 1.93 in six starts.
One year later he was a South Atlantic League all-star with Lexington and, at one point that year, pitched 30.2 consecutive scoreless frames. Also in 2005, he pitched for the USA team during the Futures Game at Detroit and got two outs without allowing a run in that contest.
In 2006, between A and AA ball he was a combined 9-12 3.31 and was second in the Houston organization in strikeouts. Patton has a career minor-league record of 27-28 3.01 in 81 starts. In 446 innings, he has walked 127 and fanned 397.
Patton was the state player of the year in Texas as a senior at Tomball High as he was 12-0 on the mound with an ERA of 0.91. He signed to play in college with the University of Texas, but then signed with Houston after the draft.
Pitching coach Rick Kranitz says "I saw him throw about five bullpens and he wasn't throwing all out, but I really like him. He has very good command of the fastball and hits his spot.
He also seems to have a great feel for pitching. Some guys just jump out at you in that way and he does. Just a wonderful feel for what he can and can't do."
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