Pitchers And Catchers Report

[Clapp]

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->It's March Madness in the Cubs' bullpen, where almost all of the attention figures to be focused during the final two weeks of spring training.

It's also where the best story lines might play out, including a potential Cinderella story with Class A pitcher David Patton taking an upset bid deep into camp.

''I'm going to tell you this: He's in the picture here,'' manager Lou Piniella said Thursday after another impressive inning by the Rule 5 draftee.

Patton is only one line on a bullpen bracket already busted open by shaky spring performances from several pitchers who otherwise might be closing in on jobs.

Instead, Piniella said he has two openings for about a half-dozen candidates after confirming the long-held assumption that Sean Marshall will fill the final starting spot and informing Aaron Heilman and Jeff Samardzija that they're competing for bullpen spots.

Heilman is in, one of five relievers Piniella has settled on. The others are closer candidates Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg, left-hander Neal Cotts and apparently Chad Gaudin, despite pitching poorly in all but two outings.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->But don't sleep on Patton, who's guaranteed a long look, if only because the Rule 5 restrictions require him being offered back to Colorado if the Cubs don't keep him in the majors.

''He's impressive,'' Piniella said of the 24-year-old from the Seattle area who never has pitched at a higher level than Class A and never had been to a big-league camp. ''Notice we're not pitching him early in the ballgame. We're pitching him later in the game, with leads, to see how he responds. And he's throwing strikes and showing a lot of composure for a kid that pitched in A-ball last year.''

A 12th-round draft pick in 2004, Patton has a 21-25 record and 4.46 ERA as a pro. But after a longer throwing program this winter in response to the Rule 5 opportunity, he has allowed only one run in 7 2/3 innings after pitching out of trouble in the eighth Thursday.

More impressive: He has nine strikeouts (two Thursday) and no walks.

''I have an opportunity here to take a huge step in my career,'' Patton said. ''That's what I've wanted ever since I was a little kid. And to have the opportunity to be in camp and be able to pitch for Lou and the Cub organization is a great honor, and I just want to keep it going.''<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Link(Wittenmyer)

I think the most impressive thing is that he's been able to handle the Arizona sun.