BRADENTON, Fla. — Nick Patten is still looking for a minor league town in which to call home this sason.

But the Butler resident and 2018 Pittsburgh Pirates draft pick is doing just fine while he's waiting.

Since the Pirates broke camp in Bradenton, Fla., weeks ago and dispersed most of their minor league personnel to various levels and towns in their farm system, Patten has remained in extended spring training.

“They had a situation where they moved their Triple-A first baseman down to Double-A and that pushed everybody back,” the 22-year-old first baseman said of the Pirates. “I've got nowhere to go right now.

“It's working out fine, though. I'm playing every day and I'm learning a lot. At this stage of my career, it's good for me.”

After signing with the Pirates last June, Patten hit .195 with three home runs for the Gulf Coast League Pirates in rookie ball. During extended spring training, his Pirates team has been playing games every day against extended spring training team of the Baltimore Orioles, Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves.

While most of the players are around Patten's age, he has played with and against a few older players down there on rehab assignments.

“I played a few games with Gregory Polanco when he was here. That was pretty cool,” Patten said. “I've faced some major league pitching on other clubs on rehab stints, but nobody big.”

Patten is hitting approximately .280 with a handful of home runs and flawless fielding at first base. He's hit a number of doubles as well and bats fourth or fifth in the lineup every day.

“The feedback I've been getting has been very positive,” Patten said. “I've changed my swing a bit in the off-season, adjusting my hands and keeping my lower body in synch with my upper body.

“I'm making steadier, more solid contact. The coaches are telling me my swing looks natural and my defense at first base is big league caliber. They told me to just keep working hard.”

The Pirates' extended spring training team works out for two hours every morning before playing noon games at Pirate City. Patten has been in the lineup virtually every day.

He could be reassigned at anytime. He just doesn't know when.

Nor does he worry about it.

“You can't,” Patten emphasized. “99.9 percent of that is out of your hands. I could be down here for the next two months. An injury could occur somewhere in the system and I could be leaving tomorrow.

“I'm just trying to improve my skill-set every day. I'm playing every day and working out with coaches every day. I can't ask for anything more.”