Consider our three post Fleming number threes: James Marshall, Jesse Ryder and Daniel Flynn.
James Marshall is roughly the same age as Patton and barely averages 30 in FC cricket
Ryder deserved his run there.
Flynn had one good season and was in the right place at the right time.
In an ideal world Patton would be left to play for NZ A for a bit, but considering previous selectorial history and the fact that its highly unlikely Fulton or especially Sinclair will be chosen (someone to dig this post when one of them is) then its between Todd, who is solid, Parlane, who is in the same boat but older and possibly lesser, or a converted opener. Patton probably has a chance and if picked the reasons why would be perfectly understandable. Showed great promise in the few games he's played and the other options need slightly better records.
I'd be a lot happier with the number three process if Flynn kicked on, Patton had played 20-30 games, Todd had a slightly better record and Fulton went back to his 2007 self.
Actualy, I'd be even happier if Sinclair had transferred all these domestic scores to test cricket.