Counting Down Rockies top 30: No. 18 Jordan Patterson

18. Jordan Patterson, OF

BA Grade: 45/medium

Born: 2/12/1992. B-T: L-L. Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 215. Drafted: South Alabama, 2013 (4th round). Signed by: Alan Matthews.

Sent back to Triple-A Albuquerque for a second season, Patterson struggled early, hitting .219 the first two months, but finished strong. Not only did he hit .317 in the final three months, but he had career highs with 26 home runs and 92 RBI. He didn’t get a September call up with the Rockies stocked at first base with veteran Mark Reynolds and Ian Desmond, but will get a shot this spring to at least share the job with Desmond, who can also get time in left field and at shortstop. A two-way player at South Alabama, he originally played the corner outfield positions in pro ball and had plenty of arm for right field. He, however, began working at first base in 2016 at Albuquerque and adapted well. When he signed he had a big leg kick at the plate, but Rockies instructor Marv Foley worked with him to shorten up the stride, allowing him to stay on the ball longer and keep his head down. A middle of the field hitter he is adjusting to pull the ball and improve his home run totals.