On Corey Patterson

There is no one on the 2005 Cubs whose play is harder to understand than Corey Patterson. I've defended Corey for a long time, trying to see his trajectory as one where -- given where he's at -- we can expect him to become a star. Too often, once we pick a side like this we feel as though we're committed to it in order to avoid being hypocritical, or just plain wrong. To be honest, however, I'm not sure where I stand with Corey these days and so I wanted to take a few moments to cash out how I think he fits in to this season. I haven't given up on him yet, but at some point potential either becomes actual or wasted. Lately, I wonder whether or not we're there yet.

From the beginning of his pro career, I've been against Patterson leading off. A good leadoff hitter requires a unique set of instincts that Corey doesn't have, and will not fully learn in a few years. In the National League, it's not as much about simply table-setting. Getting on base often is a big part of leading off well, which is why many argue that on-base percentage is the most important quality, but to me it's just as important to show restraint.

A proper blend of passive and aggressive is what I expect from a good lead-off hitter. You have to take pitches to let your pitcher rest after he hits, sometimes. You have to work the count to make the opposing pitcher work, so that the lineup falls into a rhythm of making him earn his outs. When the bottom of the order gives you an RBI opportunity (usually about once a game) you have to cash it in or keep the rally going at least once out of three chances or so because this is often the difference between going 3-4 or 4-3 in a seven game stretch. You must always avoid hitting into a double play, one way or another, by waiting for an opportune pitch to put in play and then going with it, and by hustling. When you're on base, you must become aggressive by trying to test the pitcher and the outfielders so the rest of the lineup can get a feel for whether the team can try for an extra base. You don't always simply attack as much as you help your team get a feeling for the situation.

Corey never demonstrates this sort of restraint or aggressiveness on the basepaths, and to ask him to try would be to sabotage some of his other qualities. Certainly there should be balance -- I'm not saying Corey doesn't need more restraint or more well-rounded aggressiveness -- but not the sort that would let him hit leadoff well. We need Corey to stay aggressive at the plate because he hits well enough to drive in runs, but also to become more aggressive on base in a simple-minded way, attacking to create extra runs. At least, that's what I've always thought. In this respect, I'm not judging him on terms of success or failure at leading off. I've always thought he should hit somewhere between 2 & 6 in the lineup, and that's how I judge him.

While being aggressive at the plate is one thing, though, a laissez-faire approach is another. This season, it seems like he's indifferent about improving, which is probably why it feels like his decent batting average and homerun numbers don't represent how he's struggling. The other side of the story is the lack of RBIs and the lack of walks. His natural ability will lead to a decent batting average and homeruns. It's walks and RBIs that would demonstrate improvement. The worst of it is that not only are they not improving, they are faltering.

I think it is reasonable to expect that Corey learn to shrink his strike zone because his swing is not compact and so he is not a contact hitter. We are sick of watching him swing at eye-level four-seam fastballs and sliders down by his feet. Because of this and despite his speed, the Cubs cannot execute hit and run plays while he's at bat. This is a huge liability.

Defensively, too, he's not improving. I think it is reasonable to expect someone who is very good to try to get even better. With CP, I don't see steps towards improvement. He is no better at getting a good first step; he relies on his speed to make up for that first split-second. He doesn't retreat well, yet. He does not communicate with the other outfielders effectively all the time and in this there is absolutely no margin for error -- None. His athleticism lets him make great plays, but it's not always enough.

The Cubs have been slugging lately, and so they have finally had a long stretch without consecutive tediously close games. Make no mistake, though: with this lineup, they will have plenty more close games, and Corey is the perfect candidate to make enough difference to win more of those games than not. They need extra RBIs from Patterson, because who else can give them more than they already have been?

Like I said, I am not ready to give up on Corey Patterson just yet. He has the athleticism to shine, and a set of instincts such that -- although they are narrow in scope -- can be tuned into productivity. It's just that I am really getting anxious to see him demonstrate progress in his demeanor at the plate, and on defense. I am unwilling to let him be complacent. Perhaps it's a burden, but for someone like Corey 'Good enough' is not good enough. For him to be only adequate would be a failure.

I wonder if it's now or never. If it is -- or even if it's not -- I wonder what might help him figure out a new approach to the game. I'm absolutely stumped.