Patton Heading to Round Rock
July 3, 2007 - Texas League (TL1)
Corpus Christi Hooks News Release
ROUND ROCK - Just three years after guiding Tomball High School to the Class 5A regional quarterfinals, left-handed pitcher Troy Patton is one step closer to his Major League dream.
The Houston Astros, who picked Patton up in the ninth round of the 2004 draft, announced Tuesday that the 21-year-old will move from Double-A Corpus Christi to Triple-A Round Rock on Wednesday, July 4. Patton, ranked by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in Houston's farm system behind outfielder Hunter Pence, will make his first Triple-A start on Friday, July 6 at The Dell Diamond.
Patton was 6-6 with a 2.99 earned-run average over 16 starts with the Hooks this season. He ranked first in the Texas League with 102 1/3 innings, second in ERA and sixth with 68 strikeouts. He worked through at least the sixth inning in 14 of his outings, tossed six no-hit innings against Wichita on April 12 and fanned nine in seven innings against Midland on May 3.
Patton, a 2005 South Atlantic League All-Star, made six starts for Rookie-Level Greeneville in 2004 before carving out a 5-2 record with a 1.92 ERA over 15 starts with Low-A Lexington in 2005. He went on to post a 2.63 ERA with 38 strikeouts on eight walks over 10 appearances with High-A Salem.
In 2006, Patton got off to a 1-6 start before rattling off six consecutive wins for Salem. Over the stretch, he fanned 31 on 26 hits, allowing just five earned runs over 37 innings. Patton joined Corpus Christi on July 22, 2006 and posted a 2-5 record with a 4.37 ERA and 37 strikeouts over eight starts.
He began the 2007 season by allowing just one earned run over his first two starts for the Hooks. He allowed two or fewer earned runs in nine of 16 starts and never allowed more than four runs.
His transaction marks the 45th of the season and the 30th involving a pitcher for Round Rock.
Texas League Stories from July 3, 2007
- Mike Coolbaugh Joins Tulsa Staff - Tulsa Drillers
- Cards Home for the Fourth of July - Springfield Cardinals
- Patton Heading to Round Rock - Corpus Christi Hooks
- Long Night For Drillers - Tulsa Drillers
- Hooks Survive Delay, Win Series - Corpus Christi Hooks
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
