When the Orioles acquired Felix Pie from the Chicago Cubs prior to the ’09 season they we taking a shot on a once highly regarded prospect who had failed to live up to potential in the Windy City. The Orioles still liked the tools that Pie had shown in the minors and perhaps a change of scenery would be just what he needed to make good on his ability. Plus the Orioles needed outfield depth and wanted to move Luke Scott to DH, leaving LF up for grabs.
For the first half of the ’09 season it appeared that Pie was not up to the task and would be another 5 tool prospect who failed to live up to expectations. Pie batted just .234 prior to the All-Star break, while striking out more than a fourth of the time he came to the plate (27 in 107 AB’s). Not only was he a hole in the O’s line-up, Pie also looked lost in LF. His poor defensive play really drew ire from Orioles fans, who might have looked past his slow start at-bat, but Pie was billed as a plus defender in CF. Pie, it seemed, had little to offer to the Orioles at bat and in the field and he eventually lost his starting job to Nolan Reimold.
While Pie rode the bench there were bits of information being leaked that Terry Crowley felt Pie was making progress with his swing in their side sessions together. It was an unfortunate injury to Adam Jones that allowed O’s fans to see that Crowley was right. Pie was making progress and his bat came to life. Over the 2nd half of the season Pie hit .290, had an OBPS of .843, hit 7 home-runs and drove in 21 in 145 at bats. And he hit for the cycle, a feat only accomplished by 3 other Orioles. Pie showed that perhaps he was going to make good on his considerable potential.
The question for O’s fans in 2010 is which Pie will we get? To a large extent Pie’s production will be based on how much playing time Trembley can find for him. Unless Reimold is slowed by his Achilles injury, Pie is still the 4th OF’er. Pie could serve in a platoon with Reimold, but how many AB’s will Trembley take from 2110 Eutaw St? I think what will likely happen is that Pie, Scott and Reimold will be platooned between the DH and LF positions, allowing all 3 to get a fair number of plate appearances and allowing Pie to give the Orioles a better defensive OF. Depth is a good problem to have. Trembley just needs to find the right buttons to push and put each player in the match-up they can most take advantage of. Pie got off to a good start in his fist 2 AB’s this spring with a home-run and a triple. Let’s hope his bat makes it hard to keep him out of the line-up.
I just read a post that Roch Kubatko posted on MASNSports.com in which he went through a few things he's learned about this team so far.
"Felix Pie's attitude is fantastic, and he's also been very impressive in batting practice and his two plate appearances. But each time he runs the bases, you wait for a blowout. It's like he's driving on bald tires. What gives?"
I liked the first part, I think Pie's attitude going in 2009 was bad. It's nice to see that change.
A project with a ton of upside? Sounds like a great 4th outfielder for now and great trade bait/possible starter down the road. Just like last year, this is low risk, and high reward- except this year we know he is capable of performing and the O's are not counting on him as a starter at any point. This pickup got a lot better for the organization over the past year.
I hope the good attitude continues because there were times last year that he looked lazy in the outfield, not hustling after balls hit into the corner. His base running, ouch. I think he does have some raw talent but they needs to be funneled into performance on the field.
I don't think Pie was lazy. He is a young guy, playing on a nad team and all the other guys ae getting the looks. He was like a third leg. I like this guy. He is all that is avertised and I forsee some All Star attention.
Pole,
As you know, Pie was my favorite whipping boy early last year. I dogged the guy so bad that I ended up feeling guilty about it. By the middle of the season, when my guilt really kicked in, I was actually rooting for the guy. I remember a specific instance when he non-chalantly fielded a ball and a baserunner went from 1st to third on his lazy toss back to the infield. I think his attitude improved over the year and some of his skills came out. He's on my radar screen this year as someone I really hope comes through.
STG
I'm almost positive that game where he non chalanted that ball was in Florida and the guy was going from 1st to 3rd and ended up scoring.
You can imagine my reaction…….
Everyone nonchalants a ball every now and then. Give the guy a break. Your boys Barry Bonds and Manny Ramirez nonchalant many balls but you never put any heat on them.
There is a big reason why Manny and Barry's lack of effort int eh field can go overlooked. More times than not they made up for it with the bat. If Pie could mash like those guys he would notbe so quick to draw criticism.
I agree that sometimes guys dog it, but there is no reason not to get the ball back into the infield quickly, especially when you are a young guy trying to stick in the bigs.
Manny being Manny. People put up with that though because he hits .300+ consistently and is a clutch hitter.
Nails,
Barry Bonds and Manny Ramirez are bonafide major leaguers, not a guy trying to stay in the big leagues. Not saying that Manny and Barry should dog it, NOT AT ALL, but who is Felix Pie?!?!
Mark,
If I recall, he followed it up the next day with another bone headed play. Don't remember if it was a base running blunder or something else, but that's when I blew a gasket. Do you recall the play I'm thinking of?
Pie went through a stretch where he was begging to get benched. His attitude quickly changed when Reimold solidified his role as a starter in left and we really saw the true Felix Pie when he hit that triple to finish his cycle and celebrated.
Mike Scioscia and the Angels got upset at his celebration and showed it on his next at bat…which is a bummer because I like Scioscia.
Either way, I was left with a positive impression of Pie after 2009.
Ever hear Banana Cream Pie give an interview? He sounds like he has a 15 IQ. I know it doesn't take a rocket scientist to play baseball, but perhaps his coach-ability is negatively impacted by his IQ? I personally hope the guy does well, but I doubt it.
You ever hear Radio give an interview? Hell, Banana Cream sounds like a speech professor compared to Radio. All this negativity surrounding Pie has something to do with the lack of Latinos around the O's in an official capacity. Who do the Orioles have, Samuel and who else? We lack that on this team, always have!
Mmmmm Pie
I didn't realize there was a quota that needed to be filled on latinos. I don't care what the color or language of the player is, just show me smart baseball on the field.
I'm rooting for Pie as well, saw him play AAA ball for the cubs organization, they had him billed as a star. I don't think he'll be that but it would be nice to have depth in the outfield.