2007 Dominican Winter League

[cbbryan]

based on what I have seen from Pie, I have no idea how he put up such good numbers in Iowa. He looks great on defense but just plain clueless at the plate. I think a left hander could throw a beach ball to him and he'd find a way to miss it.

 

I'm ready to include him in a trade now.

 

I love Pie's potential. From what I saw of him in the ML when he played, it almost looked as if he was trying to be too disciplined at the plate at times. I thought it was obvious that the Cubs coaches where talking to him about his plate discipline/selection and he seemed to be watching too much.

 

He's always been an aggressive hitter. And he's always been a streaky hitter. The only way Pie will succeed with the Cubs is if they throw him out there and let him play. I don't think he's the type of player that is going to excel in limited playing time.

 

For that reason, I think the Cubs must add a big bat. Most logically it would be in RF, but I would prefer SS. If the Cubs can do that I think they should put Pie in CF and leave him there. Bat him 8th and let him grow into the player he can be.

[Guest]

Sunday:

 

Licey lost 8-2, box:

 

CF F. Pie 1/3, R, 2B (4), K

----

RF E. Dukes 0/2, R, 2 BB, 2 K

 

Overall:

 

Jose Ceda (Escogido): 2.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 4 K/3 BB, 1 WP, 2 GO-2 FO, 16.88 ERA

Joel Santo (Escogido): 14.1 IP, 10 ER, 14 H, 11 K/7 BB, 2 HBP, 3 WP, 17 GO-12 FO, 6.28 ERA

Juan Mateo (Licey): 3.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 2 K/0 BB, 5 GO-3 FO, 0.00 ERA

Felix Pie (Licey): 8/40, 4 2B, 2 BB, 10 K, 4/4 SB, .200/.238/.300

---

Elijah Dukes (Licey): 10/32, 3 2B, 1 3B , 1 HR, 7 BB/14 K, 1/2 SB, .313/.488/.563

[Guest]

Monday:

 

Licey won 12-5, box:

 

RF E. Dukes 1/4, 2 R, HR (2), RBI, BB

 

Overall:

 

Jose Ceda (Escogido): 2.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 4 K/3 BB, 1 WP, 2 GO-2 FO, 16.88 ERA

Joel Santo (Escogido): 14.1 IP, 10 ER, 14 H, 11 K/7 BB, 2 HBP, 3 WP, 17 GO-12 FO, 6.28 ERA

Juan Mateo (Licey): 3.2 IP, 0 ER, 5 H, 2 K/0 BB, 5 GO-3 FO, 0.00 ERA

Felix Pie (Licey): 8/40, 4 2B, 2 BB, 10 K, 4/4 SB, .200/.238/.300

---

Elijah Dukes (Licey): 11/36, 3 2B, 1 3B , 2 HR, 8 BB/14 K, 1/2 SB, .306/.479/.611

[craig]

Cal, do you know what kind of usage Pie gets on that team? I know he's one of their worst hitters, and I'm assuming that's why he doesn't have stats every day. Is he their regular CF, or did he start that way but hit his way into a utility role? Does he play all center, or some RF as well? Does he hit in a respectable batting spot, like you might expect for an elite prospect who's maybe going to be a big-league starter in April? Or is he basically used as a #8 or #9 hitter, as befits his auto-out-with-no-power winterball performance?

[Guest]

Cal, do you know what kind of usage Pie gets on that team? I know he's one of their worst hitters, and I'm assuming that's why he doesn't have stats every day. Is he their regular CF, or did he start that way but hit his way into a utility role? Does he play all center, or some RF as well? Does he hit in a respectable batting spot, like you might expect for an elite prospect who's maybe going to be a big-league starter in April? Or is he basically used as a #8 or #9 hitter, as befits his auto-out-with-no-power winterball performance?

 

Felix has started in 11 games - 9 in CF, 1 in RF, 1 in LF. He has 8 starts in the 7th spot (his first 7 games and his most recent game) and 3 starts batting 8th (games 8-10). Surprisingly enough, I see 3 guys with a lower BA than him in Licey's 11/10 lineup and 4 starters with a lower BA in the 11/11 lineup.

 

Since he showed up on October 24th, he's started every game Licey has played except for yesterday. The reason he doesn't have more stats/games played is due to 4 rainouts and 4 days off for Licey since he started playing.

[Guest]

Tuesday:

 

Licey won 4-1, box:

 

CF F. Pie 1/4, RBI, 2 K - batting 2nd

SP J. Mateo 3 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, 1 K/0 BB, 2 HBP, 4 GO-3 FO - first start of DWL season

---

RF E. Dukes 0/3, BB, 2 K, OF assist at home

 

Escogido lost 7-6, box:

 

RP J. Ceda 0+ IP, 1 ER, 0 H, 0 K/1 BB - faced 1 batter

 

Overall:

 

Jose Ceda (Escogido): 2.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 4 K/4 BB, 1 WP, 2 GO-2 FO, 20.25 ERA

Joel Santo (Escogido): 14.1 IP, 10 ER, 14 H, 11 K/7 BB, 2 HBP, 3 WP, 17 GO-12 FO, 6.28 ERA

Juan Mateo (Licey): 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 8 H, 3 K/0 BB, 2 HBP, 9 GO-6 FO, 1.35 ERA

Felix Pie (Licey): 9/44, 4 2B, 2 BB, 12 K, 4/4 SB, .205/.239/.295

---

Elijah Dukes (Licey): 11/39, 3 2B, 1 3B , 2 HR, 9 BB/16 K, 1/2 SB, OF assist, .282/.462/.564

[MPrior]

Given that Pie's likely starting for us next year, I'd love to see him figure things out by the end of this league. I'd still rather just trade him, I think. He might net something of value, and I have my doubts about his capability to do much on the ML level. If we start him, though, they better give him a legitimate chance.

[Guest]

Wednesday:

 

Licey won 5-0, box:

 

CF F. Pie 2/5, R, K

---

RF E. Dukes 1/5, RBI, K

 

Overall:

 

Jose Ceda (Escogido): 2.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 4 K/4 BB, 1 WP, 2 GO-2 FO, 20.25 ERA

Joel Santo (Escogido): 14.1 IP, 10 ER, 14 H, 11 K/7 BB, 2 HBP, 3 WP, 17 GO-12 FO, 6.28 ERA

Juan Mateo (Licey): 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 8 H, 3 K/0 BB, 2 HBP, 9 GO-6 FO, 1.35 ERA

Felix Pie (Licey): 11/49, 4 2B, 2 BB, 13 K, 4/4 SB, .224/.255/.306

---

Elijah Dukes (Licey): 12/44, 3 2B, 1 3B , 2 HR, 9 BB/17 K, 1/2 SB, OF assist, .273/.439/.523

[TruffleShuffle]

boy i'm glad i assumed that pie would be a bust last year, that's going to make all of this so much less disappointing

[Guest]

Friday:

 

Licey lost 6-3, box:

 

CF F. Pie 0/3, R, RBI, BB, CS (1)

---

RF E. Dukes 1/4, 2 K, 2 OF assists (second base, home)

 

Overall:

 

Jose Ceda (Escogido): 2.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 4 K/4 BB, 1 WP, 2 GO-2 FO, 20.25 ERA

Joel Santo (Escogido): 14.1 IP, 10 ER, 14 H, 11 K/7 BB, 2 HBP, 3 WP, 17 GO-12 FO, 6.28 ERA

Juan Mateo (Licey): 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 8 H, 3 K/0 BB, 2 HBP, 9 GO-6 FO, 1.35 ERA

Felix Pie (Licey): 11/52, 4 2B, 3 BB, 13 K, 4/5 SB, .212/.255/.288

---

Elijah Dukes (Licey): 13/48, 3 2B, 1 3B , 2 HR, 9 BB/19 K, 1/2 SB, 3 OF assists, .271/.426/.500

[Guest]

Saturday:

 

Licey won 9-8, box:

 

CF F. Pie 1/3, R, BB, K, CS (2)

---

RF E. Dukes 0/4, R, BB, K

 

Escogido lost 5-3, box:

 

RP J. Ceda 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 K/1 BB, 0 GO-1 FO

 

Overall:

 

Jose Ceda (Escogido): 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 6 K/5 BB, 1 WP, 2 GO-3 FO, 14.73 ERA

Joel Santo (Escogido): 14.1 IP, 10 ER, 14 H, 11 K/7 BB, 2 HBP, 3 WP, 17 GO-12 FO, 6.28 ERA

Juan Mateo (Licey): 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 8 H, 3 K/0 BB, 2 HBP, 9 GO-6 FO, 1.35 ERA

Felix Pie (Licey): 12/55, 4 2B, 3 BB, 13 K, 4/6 SB, .218/.271/.291

---

Elijah Dukes (Licey): 13/52, 3 2B, 1 3B , 2 HR, 10 BB/20 K, 1/2 SB, 3 OF assists, .250/.409/.462

[Guest]

Sunday:

 

Licey won 7-5, box:

 

CF F. Pie 1/4, R, HR (1), 2 RBI, BB

 

Overall:

 

Overall:

 

Jose Ceda (Escogido): 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 6 K/5 BB, 1 WP, 2 GO-3 FO, 14.73 ERA

Joel Santo (Escogido): 14.1 IP, 10 ER, 14 H, 11 K/7 BB, 2 HBP, 3 WP, 17 GO-12 FO, 6.28 ERA

Juan Mateo (Licey): 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 8 H, 3 K/0 BB, 2 HBP, 9 GO-6 FO, 1.35 ERA

Felix Pie (Licey): 13/59, 4 2B, 1 HR, 5 BB, 14 K, 4/6 SB, .220/.281/.339

---

Elijah Dukes (Licey): 13/52, 3 2B, 1 3B , 2 HR, 10 BB/20 K, 1/2 SB, 3 OF assists, .250/.409/.462

[CuseCubFan69]

How old is Pie...22? He's still a baby if that's true. I just hope that the mental part of the game doesn't overwhelm him if he continues to struggle.

[wvcbxl]

I just hope that the mental part of the game doesn't overwhelm him if he continues to struggle.

 

Maybe he just needs a break and a fresh start at ST. I think he's been playing every winter for the last couple of years now.

[soonercub]

I think one of the reasons Pie has had so much success at the minor league level is that they don't really pitch to scouting reports. And if they do, minor league pitchers miss location a lot more than major league pitchers. The book on Pie is work him in with fastballs to set up breaking pitches. He has a habit of diving into the ball. It seemed like when he did get a hit it was a broken bat bleeder over the 2nd basemans head or a flare over the 3rd basemans head. He hasn't master the ability to keep the hands inside the ball. If he does hit the inside pitch hard it is always foul.

 

I hope they are working on the inside pitch with him. I sure hope there is a game plan.

[Guest]

Tuesday:

 

Licey won 5-1 (8 innings, rain), box:

 

CF F. Pie 0/3, K

 

Overall:

 

Jose Ceda (Escogido): 3.2 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 6 K/5 BB, 1 WP, 2 GO-3 FO, 14.73 ERA

Joel Santo (Escogido): 14.1 IP, 10 ER, 14 H, 11 K/7 BB, 2 HBP, 3 WP, 17 GO-12 FO, 6.28 ERA

Juan Mateo (Licey): 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 8 H, 3 K/0 BB, 2 HBP, 9 GO-6 FO, 1.35 ERA

Felix Pie (Licey): 13/62, 4 2B, 1 HR, 6 BB, 14 K, 4/6 SB, .210/.279/.323

---

Elijah Dukes (Licey): 13/52, 3 2B, 1 3B , 2 HR, 10 BB/20 K, 1/2 SB, 3 OF assists, .250/.409/.462

 

Reds prospect Johnny Cueto has a 2.67 ERA and and 30 K through 27 innings in the DWL.

[YearofDaCubs]

If this is what's to be expected from our starting CF, we're toast.

[Bruno7481]

If this is what's to be expected from our starting CF, we're toast.

 

Which is why I don't get the folks who get all upset when there is speculation about the Cubs adding a CF. I sincerely hope Pie turns out to be the guy, but if you don't bring in anyone else capable of filling that job you are just setting yourself up for failure.

[frostwyrm]

It's looking like 2008 will be the 3rd straight year we supposedly just need a stopgap in CF because Pie's arrival in imminent. I'm getting a little annoyed by this. If you keep a position open for a kid this long he better be damn good when he finally shows up. Otherwise it would have been better to trade him.

[CuseCubFan69]

It's looking like 2008 will be the 3rd straight year we supposedly just need a stopgap in CF because Pie's arrival in imminent. I'm getting a little annoyed by this. If you keep a position open for a kid this long he better be damn good when he finally shows up. Otherwise it would have been better to trade him.

 

Maybe when Pie is 38 he can be his own stopgap,

[CubinNY]

It's looking like 2008 will be the 3rd straight year we supposedly just need a stopgap in CF because Pie's arrival in imminent. I'm getting a little annoyed by this. If you keep a position open for a kid this long he better be damn good when he finally shows up. Otherwise it would have been better to trade him.

Which is why they should just give him a shot and let him play. He either adjusts or he doesn't. I tend to think his track record in AAA is more indicative of his potential than his performance in the winter league.

 

Unfortunately, for us and the Cubs Hendry cannot put a quality team together to withstand the inevitable adjustment period that most young players go through when stepping up to the big leagues.

[jersey cubs fan]

If this is what's to be expected from our starting CF, we're toast.

 

Which is why I don't get the folks who get all upset when there is speculation about the Cubs adding a CF. I sincerely hope Pie turns out to be the guy, but if you don't bring in anyone else capable of filling that job you are just setting yourself up for failure.

 

Because typically the speculation is about garbage players who won't do anything to help the team win, and will only serve to prolong the unknown regarding whether Pie can make it.

 

You don't need a stopgap. You need to give the kid a chance to sink or swim. Settling for mediocrity (or worse) is not a good decision, even if you might wind up with failure by a kid.

[frostwyrm]

One thing I know for sure is 2008 absolutely has to be the last year we have a one-year stopgap at CF. Inserting another stopgap for 2009 would mean 4 whole years of keeping the position open for Felix Pie, which would be ridiculous. It's not like he's projected as the second coming of Willie Mays.

[biittner77]

One thing I know for sure is 2008 absolutely has to be the last year we have a one-year stopgap at CF. Inserting another stopgap for 2009 would mean 4 whole years of keeping the position open for Felix Pie, which would be ridiculous. It's not like he's projected as the second coming of Willie Mays.

 

By then, the stopgap for 2009 will be for Tyler Colvin. :evil:

 

The Cubs' problem is that they go into the season knowing they have a black hole at SS, something of a question at C if Soto proves a flash in the pan, no RF and an unproven CF. Since they apparently can't (or perhaps won't) address SS they pretty much have to go with a safer option in CF.

 

It would be nice if they could just start with Pie and replace him with Patterson or Fuld but that can't happen unless they can get Fukudome.

[Guest]

Wednesday:

 

Licey won 2-1, box:

 

CF F. Pie 0/3

 

Escogido lost 3-1, box:

 

RP J. Ceda 2.1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 2 K/1 BB, 2 GO-3 FO

 

Overall:

 

Jose Ceda (Escogido): 6 IP, 6 ER, 7 H, 8 K/6 BB, 1 WP, 4 GO-6 FO, 9.00 ERA

Joel Santo (Escogido): 14.1 IP, 10 ER, 14 H, 11 K/7 BB, 2 HBP, 3 WP, 17 GO-12 FO, 6.28 ERA

Juan Mateo (Licey): 6.2 IP, 1 ER, 8 H, 3 K/0 BB, 2 HBP, 9 GO-6 FO, 1.35 ERA

Felix Pie (Licey): 13/65, 4 2B, 1 HR, 6 BB, 14 K, 4/6 SB, .200/.268/.308

---

Elijah Dukes (Licey): 13/52, 3 2B, 1 3B , 2 HR, 10 BB/20 K, 1/2 SB, 3 OF assists, .250/.409/.462