Longshot Patton 'in the picture' with Cubs

PEORIA, Ariz. - The terms "bubble-bursting" and "Cinderella" are the domain of college basketball teams this time of year.

They also apply to pitcher David Patton, who is putting himself right in the middle of the Cubs' bullpen picture.

The 24-year-old right-hander came to the Cubs through the Rule 5 draft in a trade with the Reds, who took him out of the Rockies organization.

Patton pitched in Thursday's 9-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners and gave up 2 hits but no runs in the eighth inning. For the spring, he's 0-1 with a 1.17 ERA. In 72/3 innings pitched, he's walked no one and struck out nine.

It's not quite midnight.

"He's impressive," manager Lou Piniella said. "Notice we're not pitching him early in ballgames. We're pitching him later on in the ballgame with leads to see how he responds. He's throwing strikes. I'm going to tell you this: He's in the picture here."

The whole experience has been a good one for Patton.

"This is unbelievable, a great opportunity," he said. "I'm loving every minute of it. This is great to me."

Patton has not pitched above Class A ball. In his second year with Modesto last season, he went 4-5 with a 3.54 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 732/3 innings. The Cubs scouted him heavily last year and liked what they saw.

"Lucas McKnight, Billy Blitzer and Joe Housey all had good reports on him last year in A-ball," said assistant general manager Randy Bush, referring to Cubs scouts. "Just an outstanding job of scouting. He was pitching out of the bullpen. A lot of times, the top prospects are in the rotation. The curveball grades were outstanding. We're intrigued by him."

The Cubs field staff has been impressed by Patton's aggressiveness on the mound.

"I take it upon myself; I'm an intense player," he said. "I give it everything I got. I love to pitch. I love the competition. When it's me versus the hitter, I'm going give it everything I have."

As a Rule 5 pick, Patton must stay with the big-league club for the entire season or be put on waivers. Another team would almost assuredly claim him at this point, and he'd eventually have to be offered back to the Rockies if he wasn't going to stick somewhere.

But he's got the big leagues on his mind.

"That's always what I dreamed," he said. "That's what I've always wanted since I was a kid. I just try to look at it as I'm throwing today. I'm going to take care of what today is. I want to make a good impression. I just want to see what I'm capable of in my ability. Make them make the decision."

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