AA St. Paul Saints

Saints Outfielder Ryan Patterson Headed to Miami Marlins Organization

Published on January 13, 2012 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN (January 13, 2012) - It proved to be one of the biggest trades St. Paul Saints manager George Tsamis made in 2011 acquiring Ryan Patterson who helped the club get to the American Association playoffs and eventually to the championship series. The free agent outfielder won't be rejoining the Saints in 2012, however, as he signed with the Miami Marlins organization.

The Saints traded for the 28-year-old outfielder on August 17, about two weeks prior to the end of the season. He helped guide the Saints to an 8-3 record over the final 11 games, including a victory in the final game of the season that got the Saints into the playoffs. In the regular season with the Saints he hit .354 with a home run and 13 RBI in 11 games. In 48 at bats he scored 11 runs, roped five doubles, had an on base percentage of .392 and a slugging percentage of .521. In the playoffs he was just as dangerous hitting .349 with two homers and nine RBI in 10 games. He hit safely in the final six playoff games and became just the second player in Saints history to hit a grand slam in the playoffs when he did it in game two of the Division Series.

"Ryan really deserves this opportunity," said Saints manager George Tsamis. "He had an excellent season. Ryan was a big part of our run down the stretch and into the playoffs. He came up with big hit after big hit and definitely made us a better team."

Patterson spent the entire 2011 campaign in the American Association, but with three different teams. He began the season with the Wichita Wingnuts, but was traded to the Fort Worth Cats on July 12 in exchange for pitching. The Saints sent reliever Robert Manuel to the Cats on July 29 for a player to be named later, which became Patterson. Overall Patterson had an incredible season and was named to the Post-Season All-Star Team and the Pointstreak Star of Star Award in the American Association for the player who had the best statistical season. Between the three stops Patterson hit .325 with 20 homers and 90 RBI in 99 games. In 434 at bats he scored 95 runs, had 32 doubles, two triples, was 16-20 in stolen bases and had an on base percentage of .382 with a .546 slugging percentage. He was among the league leaders in nearly every statistical category, leading the league in at bats, second in total bases (237), third in extra base hits (54), and runs scored and fourth in hits and RBI.

"It feels pretty good to get signed, but I know there's work still to be done," said Patterson. "This is why you continue playing and why my time in independent ball was so valuable because you're looking for one more opportunity."

Patterson was drafted on three separate occasions. The first time was by the Kansas City Royals in the 49th round of the 2001 MLB June amateur draft. He was drafted again the next year by the Atlanta Braves in the 34th round. The final time was in 2005 by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth round. He spent 2005-2008 in the Blue Jays organization, spending his last three seasons at Double-A.

"Playing against St. Paul for the last three years I got to know how intense the fans are," said Patterson. "I enjoyed my time with the Saints, playing for George and getting to know the guys. I know we came up short, but we made a great run."

Following his time with the Blue Jays he spent 2009 with the Cats and 2010 with the Wingnuts.

The Saints 2012 season, their 20th, begins at home on Thursday, May 17 with a 7:05 p.m. game against the Gary SouthShore Railcats. For information about group tickets contact the Saints office at 651-644-6659 or visit saintsbaseball.com. Single game tickets will go on sale in March.

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American Association Stories from January 13, 2012


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