Take a look at the players likely to make the Opening Day roster for the Cubs and Sox. Past Sox and Cubs camp conversations. More spring training coverage . At 21, Patterson is certainly a kid. After two years of earning high praise in the low minors, the glory of being the best thing yet to come has grown old for Patterson.
Most scouts agree.
What they also agree on is that Patterson shouldn't be rushed, not when he struggles to lay off high fastballs and against most left-handed pitchers. Patterson's time should come very soon, but a pit stop at Class AAA Iowa is likely, if not a certainty. On the field and off the field, too. We have fun just like everybody else. So last year definitely helped me out for this year.