Eric

Patterson

Patterson turned some heads earlier this month when he homered twice off Roy Halladay in the same spring game, but he never stood much of a chance at landing a spot on the Detroit bench. The utilityman will function as organizational depth this season for the Tigers.

Corey’s younger brother has flashed some real hitting ability every once in a while, but he’s finished with averages of .214 in 187 at-bats and .180 in 89 at-bats the last two years. He remains quite a long shot to win a spot on Detroit’s bench.

As Matt Eddy of Baseball America notes, this is his fifth organization in the past five years. Patterson, who turns 29 in April, was released by the Padres last month after batting just .180/.272/.292 with two home runs and eight RBI in 103 plate appearances. His speed is useful and he is capable of playing multiple positions, but he’s coming off back-to-back terrible seasons.

Patterson batted just .180/.272/.292 with two home runs and eight RBI in 103 plate appearances this past year for the Padres. The 28-year-old is now a free agent.

Patterson failed to make the Tigers’ Opening Day roster out of spring training and was hitting .244/.365/.317 with two homers, 23 RBI, 13 stolen bases and a .681 OPS over 64 games with Triple-A Toledo. The 29-year-old shouldn’t have much trouble finding a new home.

Patterson began the 2013 season with the independent York Revolution and finished it with the Double-A affiliate of the Brewers. The 30-year-old hasn’t appeared in a major league game since 2011 and will merely be organizational infield depth for the Pale Hose.

Patterson was finally promoted -- and jumped past the Florida State League -- after hitting .333/.405/.535 with 40 steals in 110 games for Single-A Peoria.

Corey’s little brother is hitting .267/.306/.378 in 45 AB in the AFL.

Eric led off the game with a triple to left center that Corey had to chase down. The 2004 eighth-round draft pick out of Georgia Tech will play in the low minors this season.