Athletics News: Fan Signs Contract After Stadium Pitch Speed Challenge

Meet the newest member of the Oakland Athletics organization, Nathan Patterson. Two weeks ago, he attended a Rockies game as a fan and had never played organized baseball past high school.

My, how things change.

Patterson hit 96 mph on a stadium radar gun at Coors Field. His brother posted it on social media, and the Athletics took notice. Voila, a new pitcher for Oakland’s minor-league system.

If that seems too good to be true, there’s video and photographic evidence.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

“How can you not be romantic about baseball” -Billy Beane Words cannot describe this feeling and I cannot thank everyone enough who has been part of this journey so far! My family has given me nothing but constant love and support throughout the last 9 months as I pursue a dream of mine that I’ve had since I was a little kid. It’s been a roller coaster to get here with many challenges and overcoming adversity. I’m grateful for all the trainers, coaches, friends, @rsrbaseball and everyone else who has supported me thus far! And for those who tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams, use that as fuel to work even harder. Because those people are the ones that settle. I’m grateful for the @athletics organization for giving me this opportunity! This story is not over. It is not the beginning. I am writing the next chapters and excited for this journey! Time to focus even more, work even harder, and it all starts with your mindset. Go after your dreams and make them a reality!

A post shared by Nathan Patterson (@njpatterson12) on Aug 1, 2019 at 2:10pm PDT

A little radar fun

Who hasn’t stepped up to the radar gun at a stadium or county fair and decided they had some big-league cheese in their arm?

OK, well, maybe some people are realistic, but Patterson had the dream. He first tried at a Nashville Sounds’ Triple-A game a year ago and hit 96 mph.

That inspired Patterson, who had played high school baseball, to start training and to join a men’s league. A car accident left him with a broken left (non-throwing) wrist over the winter, but still he kept training.

Then, on July 15 at Coors Field, Patterson tried again. He hit 94 mph on two pitches, 95 on another and 96 mph on his highest. His brother, Christian, posted video on Twitter.

Guys, we were just chillin at a @rockies baseball game, and my brother decided to step into a speed pitch challenge…he hit 96 mph 😳 @MLB Let’s get him signed! pic.twitter.com/g0fKrvUxzt

— Christian Patterson (@cpatterson_7) July 15, 2019

The impossible dream

Patterson, 23, likely will report to the Arizona League, where he’ll play rookie ball for the Athletics against players mostly much younger than himself.

Patterson faces an uphill battle to catch up to prospects with years of seasoning and with the advantage of youth. But he’s made a name for himself already.

Who else made a professional baseball team after paying $5 for three throws on the stadium concourse?

I’m grateful for the @Athletics organization for giving me this opportunity!
This story is not over. It is not the beginning. I am writing the next chapters and excited for this journey! Time to focus even more, work even harder, and it all starts with your mindset.

— Nathan Patterson (@npatterson_12) August 1, 2019

(h/t MLB.com)