Former SIUE pitcher Spencer Patton has been added to the Major League roster by the Texas Rangers.
Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 24th round of the 2011 First Year Player Draft, Patton was traded to Texas in July. The right-hander becomes just the fifth former player in school history, and the first since 2009, to ascend to the major leagues. Patton will join the Rangers Thursday in time for their home series with the Seattle Mariners.
The Kinmundy native pitched for the Cougars from 2009-2011. Patton enjoyed a standout senior season with SIUE, finishing the 2011 season 9-3 with a team-best 2.55 earned run average. His nine wins are the third most in a single season in school history. He struck out 109 hitters to become just the fourth pitcher in school history with at least 100 strikeouts in a season. The 109 strikeouts remain the second most in a single season in SIUE history.
Patton joins Champ Summers, Dennis Werth, Aaron Rakers, and Clay Zavada as former SIUE baseball players to join a major league organization.
For the complete story, visit siuecougars.com.