Mets Sign Outfielders Corey Patterson and Mike Wilson To Minor League Contracts

The Mets continue to stockpile depth players for the upper levels of the system, as they've apparently agreed to minor league contracts with outfielders Corey Patterson and Mike Wilson. Despite both players having prior big league experience, it's been reported that they have not received the elusive invite to big league camp and they will head to the minor league side.

Patterson is likely a familiar name to prospect watchers, as he was picked 3rd overall in the amateur draft by the Cubs way back in 1998 and was rated as high as Baseball America's #2 prospect prior to 2001. Unfortunately, poor plate discipline ate into his offensive game and outside of his 2003 season, he's mostly been a below-average offensive player as his career .298 wOBA exhibits. Now 33 years old, Patterson's become a journeyman over the last few years, taking a still strong glove in center field with him from team to team. He'll most likely serve as depth in Las Vegas should the big league team be hit with an inordinate number of injuries.

In contrast, Mike Wilson is probably not as familiar. The 29-year old outfielder has spent his entire professional career in the Seattle Mariners' organization after being drafted by them in the 2nd round in 2001. In particular, Wilson has spent much of the last 7 seasons bouncing between Seattle's AA and AAA teams and even reached the big leagues for a 28 plate appearance cup of coffee in 2011. He has shown a little bit of power and plate discipline at each level and in four AAA seasons, he's a .269/.362/.477 hitter, though of course it should be noted that AAA Tacoma plays in the hitter friendly Pacific Coast League. Turning 30 in June, it doesn't seem like Wilson is much more than a AAA bat but he happens to be a righty with some power and a pulse, two things the Mets could use.