Guy Who Went Viral for Throwing 96 MPH at Rockies Game Signs With Athletics
This is what dreams are actually made of. Everyone has always pictured themselves somehow landing a pro sports contract out of the blue. It's just nature.
Well, a young man by the name of Nathan Patterson has given hope to all the dreamers out there. If you're not familiar with him, Patterson went viral last month after reaching 96 MPH on the stadium radar gun at a Rockies game. Now, two weeks later, the Oakland Athletics have signed him.
A video of Nathan Patterson throwing 96 at a Rockies game went viral and two weeks later he signed a contract with the Oakland A’s https://t.co/t5G9ZQR6u9
— SI Extra Mustard (@SI_ExtraMustard) August 2, 2019
You can't make this stuff up. Simply sensational.
The 23-year-old hurler hasn't played competitive ball since he was in high school. Yet, Oakland quickly fell in love with his rocket for an arm and decided to make him a part of the organization.
Oakland had actually been interested in signing Patterson to a minor-league deal since October, per MLB.com, but the latest video of him flirting with 100 MPH sent the team over the top.
“How can you not be romantic about baseball” -Billy Beane
— Nathan Patterson (@npatterson_12) August 1, 2019
Words cannot describe this feeling and I cannot thank everyone enough who has been part of this journey so far! pic.twitter.com/E4eSMUDmU5
Remember the movie 'Rookie of the Year' when Henry Rowengartner earned a contract with the Cubs after showcasing his rocket for an arm? This has a similar feel.
Though Patterson won't have Chet Steadman mentoring him, we'll see if he'll defy the odds and make it to the bigs.