The O's Don't Need Patterson

We're still early in the season, I know, but I've already come to a conclusion. The Orioles do not need Corey Patterson. He does not help the ballclub. Basically, on days when Ramon Hernandez catches, the Orioles have 2 spots in which 5 players are vying for. Obviously, space is limited. I do not envy Sam Perlozzo in trying to find space for everyone. It's not an easy job, and from the likes of it, most of the players involved are pretty evenly matched, which makes it even harder. But one decision is clear: Of everyone on the major league roster right now, play Corey Patterson the least, and don't be afraid to send him down.

Patterson averages 152 strikeouts in a full season. He is obviously not going to get on base enough to use his strongest weapon, his base-stealing ability. I'm of the opinion that base-stealing is extremly overrated, and you have to be superhumanly efficient to make it work at all, but even granting Patterson speed, he doesn't bring enough to the table. He was the 3rd overall pick in the 1998 amateur draft, but since then, he's had everything handed to him on a silver platter, and failed miserably.

Patterson's primary position is center field. Luis Matos is currently the starter there, and Nick Markakis can play there as well. Matos and Patterson were supposed to battle for the job, but Markakis's blazing hot spring tangled up the plan. Matos still needs to prove that he can get the job done offensively, but so far, he has demonstrated never before seen power and is a solid defender. Markakis has way more plate discpline than either Matos or Patterson will ever have, and he's used it on the way to a .364 on base percentage. Markakis is not a natural center fielder, but he is suitable there, and his bat more than makes up for any rookie mistakes he may make in the field.

Markakis can also play left, where Jeff Conine is the primary starter, but he probably won't get 500 at bats. Conine still needs to prove he hasn't lost it, and in the meantime, will likely see his share of the bench, even if starts more often than not. It looks like a Markakis-Matos-Conine combo in center and left at this point. Of course, seeing as all 3 of them have serious question marks, there are still at bats to be had. Here, it comes down to Patterson vs. David Newhan.

There is a stark difference between these two Orioles. Patterson and his .293 career OBP are below Newhan's. Newhan is well-respected around the clubhouse; Patterson has been denounced as uncoachable. Newhan has played 7 different positions in his career, Patterson has spent only 14 games away from center field. Especially when armed with the knowledge that neither will be a consistent starter, I think the choice is clear when deciding who to give significant playing time to.

Of course, this can all go down in flames if Conine proves to be burned out, if Markakis cools off, and if Matos, again, doesn't put it together. It would not surprise me at all to turn on the Orioles game on August 1 and see Newhan in left, Patterson in center, and Javy Lopez at first base. But as things stand now, I just cannot see how Corey Patterson deserves significant playing time.