SARASOTA, Fla. -- Corey Patterson has been on the fast track ever since the Cincinnati Reds gave him a chance to compete for a starting job earlier this month.
The former first-round draft pick is competing against Norris Hopper for a slot in center field. Ryan Freel - who started in center last year - is moving into a utility role.
With one week left before opening day, Patterson is batting .367.
The 28-year-old player found himself out of baseball at the start of March. He was working out at his home in Atlanta, looking for an offer to prolong his career in the majors.
Manager Dusty Baker, who had watched him develop and then crash with the Chicago Cubs, offered Patterson a minor league contract on March 3rd.
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