Sleeper Watch

Corey Patterson (OF, Chicago Cubs) is another player who could do with a dose of plate discipline. Once cosidered one of baseball’s can’t-miss prospects, Patterson’s stock has fallen after 70 fairly pedestrian games in the majors in 2000 and 2001. He enters this season with the center field job all but locked up and the confidence of his manager, so playing time shouldn’t be an issue. Production, however, might be. His 2001 AAA numbers were nothing to write home about. Not only was his k/bb ratio atrocious, but neither his power nor his speed were worthy of the hype surrounding him. He certainly has the talent to become a star, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that some more time in the minors would do him good.