Red Patterson Makes MLB Debut For Dodgers In Game Two Of Doubleheader

Just who is Red Patterson? That’s what most Dodger fans would be asking today. The Dodgers announced that right hander Red Patterson will make his MLB debut, and start the second game of the Dodger’s doubleheader this afternoon against the Twins at Target Field. In a corresponding roster move, the Dodgers designated outfielder Nick Buss for assignment. Patterson will be the 26th player for the Doubleheader, as the Dodgers use the rare roster change rule.

Patterson makes his MLB debut today for the Dodgers-Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The first thing that comes to my mind is the Dodgers must really dislike Stephen Fife. But there is more to this decision than that. The Dodgers are forced to use someone outside of the 25 man roster, or risk having one of their regular starters go on short rest. More than likely they don’t want to fly someone in, and mess up their schedule just one for one start. So someone like Red Patterson probably makes sense.

We saw Patterson briefly in spring training, and he made the flight with the club to Sydney in March for the exhibition game against Australia.

The right hander is 26-years old, and originally from McKinney Texas. He went to Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and was drafted by the Dodgers in the 29th round of the 2010 amateur draft. He is 6’3 and 220 pounds.

Patterson has gradually advanced through the Dodger’s system over the last four years or so. He Advanced to Great Lakes and Rancho Cucamonga in 2011, then advancing to Chattanooga in 2012, and finally Albuquerque in 2013.

Last season Patterson pitched 39 games for Albuquerque, posting a 7-4 record, and a 3.03 ERA. He made 12 starts for the Isotopes, and whiffed 109, walking 49. He posted a 9.2 whiff per nine rate in 2013, and a 9.1 whiff per nine rate in 2012 for Chattanooga. Patterson does have issues with control at times, posting a 4.1 walk per nine rate last year. He has a career walk rate of 3.0 in the minor leagues, and a whiff rate of 8.8. He has a career ERA of 3.40, and he is 33-12, with 432 whiffs in about 440 innings pitched.

Those are actually pretty good numbers for pitching in the launching pad of Albuquerque. This year Patterson is 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in four starts for the Isotopes. There is not much information out there on him, but according to scouting reports, Patterson is a junkballer, and has a lot of pitches in his arsenal. He’s got a fringy fastball, with some decent off-speed pitches. Fastball, curve, and slider I think.

According to Eric Stephen, Patterson is the oldest Dodger to make his MLB debut since Larry Miller, who was 27 when he made his debut with the Dodgers in 1964.

No matter how Patterson does today, he will be optioned back down to Albuquerque after the game.