Local player Jason Patton sets sights on majors

A single phone call is enough to validate a lifetime's worth of hard work and dedication.

The call came for a Perry High School graduate, Jason Patton, only weeks ago. The manager of the Frontier baseball league team Patton played for said the Arizona Diamondbacks wanted to buy out his contract.

Patton was invited to a workout with the Diamondbacks in Phoenix, Ariz. last year, but the team did not sign any prospects. He was invited back once again this year, but couldn’t attend, so a personal workout was set up for Patton at Kent State University, where he played college baseball.

Pro scouting Mike Berger worked out Patton at first base. Just hours later the general manager of the minor league Rivercity Rascals contacted him about being drafted.
Patton is a Stark County native for whom baseball was always a family passion.
His father and brother were early teammates.

“I started out playing wiffle ball in the yard with my brother and my dad,” Patton said. “I would watch my brother play baseball and I wanted to do it. My first baseball game was when I was 5 years old.”

Patton also played in high school, and dreamed about going pro.

“I knew what I loved to do and it was baseball,” he said. “I knew I wanted to pursue playing major league baseball to the fullest and the next level [college] offered good coaching and exposure to help get me there.”

In high school Patton’s favorite  player was Jim Thome. They shared the same number, 25. According to Patton, Thome played hard and wasn't about talk, but about business.

Patton broke high school single season records in  home runs (nine), RBI and doubles (11).

His favorite high school memory was playing Hoover and hitting a game-tying solo home run over the batting cages in right field in the bottom of the seventh inning. The home run took the game to extra innings where Patton and the Perry Panthers won the game.

“This is one I will never forget,” Patton said. “There were several reasons that made this game and home run unforgettable: the fact it was a Federal League game, under the lights at Perry, near the end of the season and we were on the brink of the Federal League championship. Maybe it was the fact we were down three runs in the seventh  inning, maybe it was the fact it was a packed house that night.”

The game was also a memory for Jason’s dad, John Patton. “He absolutely crushed it over the right field fence. He even cleared the batting cages out there in the parking lot.  Got to admit when he was taking the beating from his teammates at home plate after that blast, it was one awesome moment for a very proud dad.”

John Patton was also there when things didn’t go well for his son.

Going into Jason Patton's senior season he was hit by an inside pitch that shattered his left thumb. That meant no hitting in his senior year – and fears about the future at the same time he was being scouted by the Red, Angels, Pirates and Brewers.

“I would ask myself 'will I get noticed again? Will it heal?' It took a while to get over my injury,” Jason Patton said. “But the excitement of attending Kent State and playing baseball helped me get back on my feet.”

His freshman season went by smoothly, but with minimal playing time. As a sophomore, Patton started as an outfielder and designated hitter, but in his junior year, Patton suffered a setback.

“I was in a whole-year slump,” he said. “I struggled with academics, work, interest in baseball overall. I was disheartened and negative.”

After his junior season he played fall ball with the Stark County Terrier's. The experience brought back the feeling of playing the game because for fun and not feeling any pressure. Playing loose, relaxed and confident gave Patton great results in his Frontier league ball and got him noticed by a major league team.

His home run count improved immensely. He went yard 15 times his senior season compared to one home run in his junior year.

Patton credits his uncle, hitting coach Scott Haack with helping him leave the junior year slump behind.

“I believe that the many talks Jason and I have had helped his confidence and further understand what it takes to be successful,” Haack said. “I believe that we learn more through our failures than any of our successes.  I was there to help Jason understand this process.”

Patton's sophomore year he received All-Tournament Team and MVP of the tournament honors in the team's MAC championship victory. He batted 10-16 with one home run in the tournament. His senior year, after the fall season with the Terriers, Patton received national player of the week honors and All-Tournament Team honors in KSU’s regional appearance in Tempe, Ariz.

“The highlight of the tournament, for me, was playing at Arizona State, under the lights with a sold out crowd,” Patton said. “It was electrifying and I did so well.”
Patton went four-for-four with a solo home run, one double and two singles during the game against Arizona State, earning Mid-American Conference Tournament MVP. This was also his Haack’s “proud uncle” moment of Patton's career so far.

Patton won four rings in four years. In 2006, his freshman year at Kent State, the Golden Flashes won the MAC East division title as well as the MAC regular season title. His sophomore year the team beat Eastern Michigan University in the MAC tournament championship and were placed in Missouri for regional play.

Patton's junior season team won the MAC East division title and the overall MAC title. His senior season was the highlight of Patton's college career when they won the 2009 MAC tournament and went to Arizona State.

Patton said he was able to overcome the struggles and deal with his success through training with his brother, father, uncle and  John Massarelli, who owns a private baseball academy.

“I owe a lot to John (Massarelli) for all of the extra work and lessons he put me through,” Patton said. “When I got released from Tampa Bay, after college (Patton was drafted by the Devil Rays in the 47th round, but never got to play), John allowed me to come workout for his Frontier League team, the Lake Erie Crushers. This one tryout turned out to be a springboard to where I am now.”

After a week and a half workout for the Crushers, Patton had earned a job. Patton went from the Crushers to other Frontier League teams the Gateway Grizzlies, from St. Louis, and then to the River City Rascals in Missouri.

 Patton believes he was able to be strong enough, mentally, because of the care, respect and hospitality of his house parents during his Frontier League days.

“They are some of the finest people I have ever had the privilege of meeting,” he said. “They are second set of parents for me. Besides my parents and brother, there is no bigger support cast in my baseball journey.”

 House parents Kevin and Nancy Herron and their son Tyler are part of Patton’s second family. They still remain in close contact via telephone at least once a week and visit during the holiday season each year.

Patton was the Herron's first minor league house guest.

“My first impression of him was that he was tall, very respectful and faithful in God,” Kevin Herron said. That relationship Jason has with God bonded a friendship and created a role model between Jason and my son, Tyler,” Herron said.

The Herrons made it to every home game and some of the away games when Patton stayed with them.

“He enjoyed seeing us in the stands,” Herron said. “We were his cheering section.”
Patton reflects on his Devil Ray experience.

“I knew I didn't have much of a shot getting signed, even with it going as well as it could have, so I used it for the experience,” Patton said.

That experience included a few interesting stories.

On opening day of the 2010 season, against the Baltimore Orioles, he took batting practice during a game simulation with no defense. The pitcher he faced was David Price.

“Everything moves, he has the ability to put each pitch wherever he wants,” Patton said.

He also got the chance to dress for a major league game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

“I was so nervous and overwhelmed that I had a sick feeling in my stomach,” he said. “All of my friends who dressed as well had gotten called into the game, but I never made it in. I was still so nervous knowing I was next to get called in though.”

Finally, he got to meet Ben Zobrist while playing for Tampa Bay. Zobrist, also a devoted Christian, invited  the young prospects to his home for a cooked meal and Bible study.

“Ben is a genuine person, and his relationship with Christ is something to be admired,” Patton said.

While with the Diamondbacks, Patton increased his workout routine, but remained consistent with what got him to the pros. Putting on weight is his main concern. He hits the weight room with his brother John Patton. The two work out together and act as inspiration for each other.

“He's my trainer. He pushes me to and past my limits for a great workout,” he said.
“Most recently, I would say the place I have pushed him towards success the most has been in the weight room,” Patton’s brother said. “I have pushed him the most has definitely been with getting him into the weight room and getting him stronger each year. “

In the off season Patton works out in the Field House at Kent State. There he long tosses, to increase arm strength, and does agility workouts.

“Out of all the options of 'proud brother' moments I wouldn't pick any on the field,” John Patton said. “I would say that his dedication this past off season made me the proudest I've been of him.

 “The hard work has finally paid off for him.”

Baseball is not going to be around forever, for anyone. Jason Patton knows that and is prepared for life without, or after, baseball.

 He would like to stay involved with baseball in multiple ways. Through giving lessons, coaching (high school or college), training, a front office job, scouting or player development.

Having a game plan for his post-baseball career  is a plus, but the real accomplishment is being able to put that on hold and live out his dream – while it lasts.

Patton was released by the Diamondbacks at the end of spring training. He has returned to the   River City Rascals for another season, where he continues his pursuit of a major league career.