Madison, WI – February 16, 2009. The Madison Mallards have signed last year’s National Junior College Player of the Year, Texas A&M junior catcher Joe Patterson, for the 2009 season. Patterson won the award after leading Seminole State College (OK) to the Region II semifinals and hitting .428 with 28 home runs and 95 RBIs. He was also named a First-Team All-American and received the Rawlings Big Stick Award for his efforts. This marks the second time Patterson has transferred schools as he began his collegiate career at Oral Roberts, appearing in only 10 games for the Golden Eagles as a freshman in 2007. That summer he also played for the Peninsula Oilers in the Alaskan Baseball League and accumulated 15 hits and three doubles in 22 games.
Patterson’s signing marks the first time the Mallards have signed a player from Texas A&M during Field Manager C.J. Thieleke’s 5-year reign. The Aggies are currently ranked as the nation’s top team by Baseball America.
Said Thieleke, “We’re obviously excited to start a relationship with Head Coach Rob Childress and obtain a talented individual in Joe Patterson.”
“Joe is coming off a storybook spring season and I know he impressed the coaching staff with his performance this past fall. From all indications he’s made a smooth transition from junior college to Division I, and we can’t wait to help further his baseball career this summer in Madison.”
Thieleke also points to Patterson’s work ethic and grind-it-out mentality he will bring to the Mallards clubhouse upon arrival.
“I’ve been hearing a lot that Joe is never satisfied with his game and will put in the necessary time to overcome certain deficiencies, whatever they may be. That being said, we look for Joe to bring that work ethic and really be one of the more active leaders both on-and-off the diamond.”
Did you know?
As a senior at Owasso High School (OK), Patterson helped lead the Rams to a No. 1 national ranking (USA Today) by hitting .355 with 11 doubles, seven home runs, and 44 RBIs, despite playing most of the season with a shoulder injury. That same year he was a First-Team All-State selection as a quarterback, throwing for 2,500 yards and 27 touchdowns.
