BUTLER TWP — Butler resident and former Golden Tornado two-sport athlete Nick Patten has been released by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

But Patten, 23, says his baseball career is not over.

“My release actually came a few weeks ago,” he said. “The Pirates made some sweeping changes throughout the organization and I got caught up in that a little bit.

“I know I didn't have a good year (in 2019). I tried changing too many things in my approach at the plate instead of staying with what got me there in the first place.

“That was my mistake and I'll learn from it,” Patten added.

Patten was selected in the 28th round by the Pirates two years ago as a first baseman out of the University of Delaware. He hit .312 with 14 homers, 54 RBI and 58 runs scored his sophomore year at Delaware.

Those numbers slipped to .241, nine homers and 30 RBI his junior year.

Patten struggled with the West Virginia Black Bears of the New York-Penn League last season, hitting .189 with three homers and 11 RBI. He struck out 54 times in 132 at bats.

“Defensively, I didn't commit an error all season,” Patten said. “Offensively, like I said, I changed my swing too much. I did a toe tap, changed where I put my hands on the bat, stuff like that.”

Patten's agent has contacted other major league organizations about Patten “and he's been getting some interest,” the player said.

“It's a filtering down process. The clubs take care of the major league team first, make sure everything is in place there, then they work on the minor league sustem,” Patten added.

“I have to be patient. I know I'll be playing somewhere this year.”

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Patten said he will play independent minor league ball if no major league organization signs him.

“I'm preparing to do what I have to do to work my way back,” he said. I'm not ready to give up on this year.

“I'll get another opportunity and I plan to make the most of it.”

Patten was a basketball and baseball standout at Butler High School through his junior year. He spent his senior year at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., playing baseball and earning his scholarship to Delaware.