Spencer Patton

The Cubs shuttled Patton between Chicago and Triple-A Iowa last season, largely due to his struggles with walks (5.9 BB/9) and home runs (1.27 HR/9) during his time with the big club. Armed with a three-pitch mix that includes a low-90s fastball, slider, and changeup, Patton whiffed batters at an excellent clip during his time with Iowa (14.8 K/9), but he failed to replicate that level of success when called upon in Chicago (9.3 K/9). In two opportunities against big league hitters, Patton has failed to emerge as more than an extra reliever. At age 29, his chances of sticking as a regular contributor for a first-division club appear to be slim.

Patton spent the year between Triple-A Round Rock and Texas, making 26 appearances in the minors and 27 in the majors. He showed solid peripherals in the minors (nine walks, 36 Ks, one homer in 27 innings) but didn't have the same success with Texas (12 walks, 28 Ks and five homers in 24 innings). At 27-years old and trying to earn a roster spot in a stacked Texas bullpen, Patton's future remains cloudy at best.

Patton has rolled through the minor leagues with a double-digit K/9 at each of his stops, fanning 32.2% of the batters that he's faced in the minors to this point. The Rangers acquired him in July from the Royals for Jason Frasor, and Patton managed to rack up 18 saves between the two Triple-A clubs last season. In his arsenal, Patton features a low-90s fastball, slider and change, and he's been able to generate more strikeouts than expected because of his deceptive delivery. He'll likely be in the mix for a bullpen spot with the Rangers during spring training, but Patton is more likely to end up in middle relief than in the late innings at the big league level.