Viral sensation Patterson fans side in pro debut

Nathan Patterson, who became an internet wonder after video of him throwing well into the 90s at a Coors Field speed-pitch cage during a Colorado Rockies game hit social media, struck out the side Thursday in his professional debut.

He was making his debut with the Athletics Gold, a rookie-league affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, in the Arizona League. The Gold were facing an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.

The Athletics, who recently signed Patterson to a minor league contract, began talking with him in January. He was training at that point and, after healing from a wrist injury, played in a men's league to stay on top of his game.

When he tried his hand in the speed-pitch cage in Denver and the result circulated on social media, the A's took notice again.

"A few days later the A's gave me a call," Patterson said after the signing was announced, according to MLB.com.