Blue Jays acquire 1B/OF Jordan Patterson from Reds

Amid the craziness of the Kendrys Morales trade, the Blue Jays also made another minor trade Tuesday evening.

According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, the Blue Jays have acquired 1B/OF Jordan Patterson from the Cincinnati Reds. Nicholson-Smith says that Patterson will head to Triple-A Buffalo to begin the 2019 season.

While the return for Cincinnati is not yet known, it is likely that the Jays will be sending cash to the Reds in exchange for Patterson.

Patterson, 27, was drafted by the Colorado Rockies and was selected off waivers by the Reds in November 2018. In 2018, he slashed .271/.367/.525 with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes of the Rockies organization, adding 26 home runs and 76 RBI in 413 at-bats.

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In 2017, Patterson was the Rockies’ No. 13 prospect. In 2016, he was the organization’s No. 16 prospect. For his career, the native of Mobile, Alabama has slashed a cumulative .285/.365/.504 in parts of six MiLB seasons.

With 107 career home runs and 72 career stolen bases, Patterson is, per MLB Pipeline’s scouting report, “aggressive on the bases”, adding that he “offers impressive bat speed and strength”.

In his column, Nicholson-Smith notes that Patterson’s acquisition is likely to shore up the organization’s upper-minor league outfield depth, especially after the injuries of Dalton Pompey (concussion) and Jonathan Davis (ankle).

At this point, Patterson appears likely to take Anthony Alford‘s spot in Buffalo, should be join the major-league team within the next few weeks. As of Opening Day, the only other outfielder on the Bisons roster is Roemon Fields.

While the return for Patterson likely won’t be known until the deal is made official, the Jays appear to have made a sound pickup, adding depth through a minor trade that could pay dividends down the line. More to come.