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Monday, April 21, 2008

The Real McCoy: Corey Patterson: a temporary seat

Well, if it looks like a strikeout, smells like a strikeout, feels like a strikeout, and tastes like a strikeout, it must be a pile of strikeouts....I’m sure glad we didn’t step in it then!

Corey Patterson’s name was not on the Cincinnati Reds lineup sheet tonight - as many have begged for, pleaded for and prayed for.

Ryan Freel was in center field and batting leadoff, Patterson’s normal spots. But his 0 for 20 and 1 for 28 slide-for-life had nothing to do with his one-night stand in the dugout.

Baker was not aware of Patterson’s slump until a writer informed him Sunday.

“Really?” said Baker. “I did not know that. He hasn’t been striking out a lot so a long stretch of no hits is not as noticeable as when a guy piles up the strikeouts.”

Repoz Posted: April 21, 2008 at 09:19 PM | 11 comment(s)
Related News: General, Cincinnati

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1. Harveys Wallbangers Posted: April 21, 2008 at 09:39 PM (#2753615)

What cannot be understated is Corey's work on defense. Ken and Adam are statues out there. If anyone wants to get a feel for what it was like for Willie Mays on the Giants when he had Hank Sauer on one side and Don Mueller on the other check out the Reds. 'Cause if Patterson isn't playing the outfield is wide open for the taking.................

2. Moses Taylor: armed with a will, the past, a brick Posted: April 21, 2008 at 10:27 PM (#2753682)

“Really?” said Baker. “I did not know that. He hasn’t been striking out a lot so a long stretch of no hits is not as noticeable as when a guy piles up the strikeouts.”

Dusty says stuff like this all of the time. I don't believe that he really doesn't know how Corey's hitting, but he is trying to deflect the criticism. But it sure doesn't help Dusty's reputation to say this.

I agree completely with you, Harvey. He should play everyday simply for that fact. However, he should never, ever hit in the first inning unless the Reds are about to bat around.

3. Walt Davis Posted: April 21, 2008 at 11:11 PM (#2753729)

He is smacking the ball when he does hit it though -- 9 of his 11 hits are for extra bases and he's got an ISO 289. His 86 OPS+ is actually a bit above his career average, albeit SLG-heavy even for Patterson.

But the stuff about piling up Ks is pure BS. He has 4 Ks in 59 AB for the year. He's had 1 K in his last 16 PAs, 2 in his last 45. Did McCoy or anybody notice Baker was full of it or did they all knowingly nod their heads about the evils of strikeouts?

He also has a decent walk rate so far of 6 in 60 AB. That's right, Patterson has more walks than Ks right now.

EDIT: me not read so well today. Baker said he hadn't been striking out.

4. Damon Rutherford Posted: April 21, 2008 at 11:32 PM (#2753736)

Don't insult us, Dusty, with your ########. Take your precious CF and hit the road!

5. pyrite Posted: April 22, 2008 at 01:06 AM (#2753778)

He's got a .135 BABIP right now and THT's PrOPS says he "should" be hitting 307/364/573, so it looks like he's hitting the ball hard.

I wasn't a big fan of this signing, but he might be a useful placeholder for a few months and he buys the Reds an extra year of Jay Bruce, which is nice. Specifically, Bruce's Age-27 season in 2014.

As long as Bruce is up in June and Patterson is then a 4th OF, filling in for an injured Griffey, or traded, I think the signing can be considered a success.

6. parkermo Posted: April 22, 2008 at 02:21 AM (#2753794)

smells like a strikeout

I know what a strikeout smells like. Is that bad?

7. Damon Rutherford Posted: April 22, 2008 at 02:55 AM (#2753798)

If I were Bruce, I'd be outraged and wouldn't plan on signing with the Reds once I'm free to sign elsewhere. So while they're buying an "extra" year of Bruce, I think they're reducing their chances of signing him long term.

Why wasn't Norris Hopper acceptable as a useful placeholder?

8. McCoy Posted: April 22, 2008 at 08:58 AM (#2753847)

Corey is a better gloved old Shawon Dunston. Corey should be a sub.

9. Steve Parris, Je t'aime (M. Valentin) Posted: April 23, 2008 at 09:26 AM (#2755532)

If I were Bruce, I'd be outraged and wouldn't plan on signing with the Reds once I'm free to sign elsewhere. So while they're buying an "extra" year of Bruce, I think they're reducing their chances of signing him long term.

Did you not hear about the Longoria contract?

10. Fred Garvin, Male Prostitute Posted: April 23, 2008 at 09:48 AM (#2755562)

Did McCoy or anybody notice Baker was full of it or did they all knowingly nod their heads about the evils of strikeouts?

You're talking about the same people who want to run Adam Dunn out of town for the same reason.

11. JoeHova Posted: April 23, 2008 at 10:00 AM (#2755573)

If I were Bruce, I'd be outraged and wouldn't plan on signing with the Reds once I'm free to sign elsewhere.

Since when is it the law that teams should call guys up as soon as they hit AAA? He played 50 games there last season with a nice OPS, but hardly dominant. I think this criticism is getting ridiculous. Unless a guy has a 1.000 OPS in AAA, it's not like he projects to be all that great immediately once he is called up.

Sure, maybe money comes into the equation. However, I think it is justifiable in most cases to keep a guy in AAA for awhile. What good does it do a team to have a 21 year old top prospect hitting .320/.420 in the majors?

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The Real McCoy: Corey Patterson: a temporary seat

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