Rockies' Jordan Patterson: Improved shot at cracking MLB roster

Patterson is a candidate to fill the vacancy left at first base after the injury to Ian Desmond (hand), Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports.

Analysis:

Patterson is the Rockies' No. 16 prospect according to RotoWire, and seeing as he has amassed the second-most innings at first base this spring (behind Desmond), the 25-year-old would seem like a logical fit. Stephen Cardullo, Gerardo Parra, and non-roster invitee Mark Reynolds are also in the running for the role, but Patterson's prospect status and .979 OPS in 30 spring at-bats could vault him over the competition en route to his first Opening Day assignment in Denver.