Lou on the score...Notes

[BigbadB]

I find it interesting that everyone is writing off Sam Fuld as a worthless 5th OF before he's even gotten a chance with the Cubs. Onbase skills like his tend to translate pretty well to the bigleagues, and his defense and baserunning will be assets.

 

Now don't get me wrong, Pie absolutely deserves the first crack at the CF job, but Fuld isn't exactly trash. And as opposed to Theriot, Fuld could actually be a nice fit in the 2 hole.

 

And just for kicks:

Sam Fuld in 1184 MiLB ABs: .296/.377/.417/.794; 105 XBH, 52 SB/17 CS

Brian Roberts in 1097 MiLB ABs: .281/.377/.372/.749; 73 XBH, 111 SB/29 CS

 

Good thing the O's didn't blow off Roberts as a worthless utility IF and just stick with Jerry Hairston instead.

 

Fuld was 25 years old in AA last year. Fuld did this in AA: .290 .372 .388 760

Pie was 20 in AA. Pie did this in AA: .304 .349 .554 903

 

Career minor league numbers for Fuld: .296 .377 .417 794

Career minor league numbers for Pie: .300 .358 .468 826

 

Pie did better in AA at 5 years younger.

[cbbryan]

I find it interesting that everyone is writing off Sam Fuld as a worthless 5th OF before he's even gotten a chance with the Cubs. Onbase skills like his tend to translate pretty well to the bigleagues, and his defense and baserunning will be assets.

 

Now don't get me wrong, Pie absolutely deserves the first crack at the CF job, but Fuld isn't exactly trash. And as opposed to Theriot, Fuld could actually be a nice fit in the 2 hole.

 

And just for kicks:

Sam Fuld in 1184 MiLB ABs: .296/.377/.417/.794; 105 XBH, 52 SB/17 CS

Brian Roberts in 1097 MiLB ABs: .281/.377/.372/.749; 73 XBH, 111 SB/29 CS

 

Good thing the O's didn't blow off Roberts as a worthless utility IF and just stick with Jerry Hairston instead.

 

Fuld was 25 years old in AA last year. Fuld did this in AA: .290 .372 .388 760

Pie was 20 in AA. Pie did this in AA: .304 .349 .554 903

 

Career minor league numbers for Fuld: .296 .377 .417 794

Career minor league numbers for Pie: .300 .358 .468 826

 

Pie did better in AA at 5 years younger.

 

 

I agree. It's not that I'm writing Fuld off, but I'm certainly more confident in Pie's ability to be an impact player then I am Fuld's. Folks have been down on Pie because of his limited numbers last year. With the addition of Fukudome in RF, there's really no reason not to let Pie play everyday in CF. He will hit in the MLB just like he has his whole professional career. It may take some time for him to adjust, but I believe he will find success with consistent playing time.

[BigbadB]

I agree. It's not that I'm writing Fuld off, but I'm certainly more confident in Pie's ability to be an impact player then I am Fuld's. Folks have been down on Pie because of his limited numbers last year. With the addition of Fukudome in RF, there's really no reason not to let Pie play everyday in CF. He will hit in the MLB just like he has his whole professional career. It may take some time for him to adjust, but I believe he will find success with consistent playing time.

 

Even with consistent playing time, he might still struggle for awhile. But, you just have to stick it out because the reward could pay huge dividends later.

 

To borrow another poster's example from earlier in the offseason, Boston put Pedroia at 2b last year and he did this in March and April: .182 .308 .236

Pedroia did this in May: .415 .472 .600

 

Should Boston have sent Pedroia back down to AAA at the first sign of a struggle? Nope. Just let him get his licks in and sooner or later the truth will be unveiled.

 

No two prospects are alike. Alex Gordon struggled his way through his entire rookie campaign. But, he will eventually show people why he was so highly touted at one point or another. Look what BJ Upton did in his first two stints in the majors in '04 and '06. He was downright horrible. In 2007, he started showing folks what he is capable of. I think the Albert Pujol's and the Miguel Cabrera's cloud a lot of people's judgment of what to expect from a young up and comer.

 

If they just stick Pie out there and let him play, I think he'll prove his value sooner rather than later, and with solid bats like Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, DeRosa and more than likely Fukudome as well, I think the Cubs can afford to be a bit patient with Pie.

[cbbryan]

I agree. It's not that I'm writing Fuld off, but I'm certainly more confident in Pie's ability to be an impact player then I am Fuld's. Folks have been down on Pie because of his limited numbers last year. With the addition of Fukudome in RF, there's really no reason not to let Pie play everyday in CF. He will hit in the MLB just like he has his whole professional career. It may take some time for him to adjust, but I believe he will find success with consistent playing time.

 

Even with consistent playing time, he might still struggle for awhile. But, you just have to stick it out because the reward could pay huge dividends later.

 

To borrow another poster's example from earlier in the offseason, Boston put Pedroia at 2b last year and he did this in March and April: .182 .308 .236

Pedroia did this in May: .415 .472 .600

 

Should Boston have sent Pedroia back down to AAA at the first sign of a struggle? Nope. Just let him get his licks in and sooner or later the truth will be unveiled.

 

No two prospects are alike. Alex Gordon struggled his way through his entire rookie campaign. But, he will eventually show people why he was so highly touted at one point or another. Look what BJ Upton did in his first two stints in the majors in '04 and '06. He was downright horrible. In 2007, he started showing folks what he is capable of. I think the Albert Pujol's and the Miguel Cabrera's cloud a lot of people's judgment of what to expect from a young up and comer.

 

If they just stick Pie out there and let him play, I think he'll prove his value sooner rather than later, and with solid bats like Soriano, Lee, Ramirez, DeRosa and more than likely Fukudome as well, I think the Cubs can afford to be a bit patient with Pie.

 

I agree again. And I view Pie as more "coachable" then CPat was. While CPat has a tremendous amount of potential he seems to have always thought he was a power hitter and didn't utilize his true tools.

 

Pie on the other hand seems to be very coachable. There was many times last year that I thought he was too selective at the plate when the Cubs where trying to work with him on his plate discipline. He just needs time to get comfortable. If he knows the position is his and he doesn't have to worry about losing playing time I think he'll be more relaxed, won't press and he'll enjoy success.

[davearm2]

I find it interesting that everyone is writing off Sam Fuld as a worthless 5th OF before he's even gotten a chance with the Cubs. Onbase skills like his tend to translate pretty well to the bigleagues, and his defense and baserunning will be assets.

 

Now don't get me wrong, Pie absolutely deserves the first crack at the CF job, but Fuld isn't exactly trash. And as opposed to Theriot, Fuld could actually be a nice fit in the 2 hole.

 

And just for kicks:

Sam Fuld in 1184 MiLB ABs: .296/.377/.417/.794; 105 XBH, 52 SB/17 CS

Brian Roberts in 1097 MiLB ABs: .281/.377/.372/.749; 73 XBH, 111 SB/29 CS

 

Good thing the O's didn't blow off Roberts as a worthless utility IF and just stick with Jerry Hairston instead.

 

Fuld was 25 years old in AA last year. Fuld did this in AA: .290 .372 .388 760

Pie was 20 in AA. Pie did this in AA: .304 .349 .554 903

 

Career minor league numbers for Fuld: .296 .377 .417 794

Career minor league numbers for Pie: .300 .358 .468 826

 

Pie did better in AA at 5 years younger.

I stated quite clearly that Pie should get the first crack at the CF job.

 

However the main point I was making is that dismissing Fuld as basically worthless, as some here have, strikes me as foolish. Showing Pie's better MiLB numbers does nothing to change my mind on that. Pie's considered an elite prospect and Fuld obviously isn't, so Pie's numbers ought to be better. That doesn't leave Fuld worthless though.

[BigbadB]

That doesn't leave Fuld worthless though.

 

Fair enough. However, I haven't deemed him worthless. He'd make for a decent 5th outfielder. He's 26 years old and doesn't bring enough to the table to be a solid starting CF candidate.

[davearm2]

That doesn't leave Fuld worthless though.

 

Fair enough. However, I haven't deemed him worthless. He'd make for a decent 5th outfielder. He's 26 years old and doesn't bring enough to the table to be a solid starting CF candidate.

And I think that conclusion is very premature.

 

Earlier I gave Brian Roberts' very similar MiLB line.

 

Here's another.

 

.300/.370/.379/.749 with 76 XBH in 1423 MiLB ABs.

Ages:

11th round pick out of Arizona as a 21 YO.

A- and A @ 22

A+ @ 23

AAA @ 24

MLB @ 25.

 

This guy has starred in the bigleagues for the last 16 years. He's Kenny Lofton.

 

Now am I saying Fuld is the next Kenny Lofton or Brian Roberts? Obviously not.

 

My point is, there isn't even the first Kenny Lofton or Brian Roberts if guys with this resume are pigeonholed as 5th OFs and utility MIs before they've even set foot in the majors.

[imb]

That doesn't leave Fuld worthless though.

 

Fair enough. However, I haven't deemed him worthless. He'd make for a decent 5th outfielder. He's 26 years old and doesn't bring enough to the table to be a solid starting CF candidate.

And I think that conclusion is very premature.

 

Earlier I gave Brian Roberts' very similar MiLB line.

 

Here's another.

 

.300/.370/.379/.749 with 76 XBH in 1423 MiLB ABs.

Ages:

11th round pick out of Arizona as a 21 YO.

A- and A @ 22

A+ @ 23

AAA @ 24

MLB @ 25.

 

This guy has starred in the bigleagues for the last 16 years. He's Kenny Lofton.

 

Now am I saying Fuld is the next Kenny Lofton or Brian Roberts? Obviously not.

 

My point is, there isn't even the first Kenny Lofton or Brian Roberts if guys with this resume are pigeonholed as 5th OFs and utility MIs before they've even set foot in the majors.

 

lol, kenny lofton and sam fuld are on such different scales as far as athletic ability that it's hilarious

[snoodmonger]

Pie hitting 8th irritates me more than any other lineup decision.

 

More than Theriot hitting 2nd?

 

Or are you saying it irritates you because Theriot should be hitting 8th?

 

Yeah, there's a bit of cause and effect there with Theriot hitting 2nd, but even if Theriot was 7th it really irritates me. Pie hitting 8th is the one spot where it sets him up to fail, since it's the one spot in the lineup where he's likely to get pitched to much differently with the pitcher on deck. I really hope ST works out that he hits his way out of the bottom of the order, or Theriot "hits" his way down to the 8 spot.

 

 

Man, I could not agree more. I just had the same conversation with my brother.

[davearm2]

That doesn't leave Fuld worthless though.

 

Fair enough. However, I haven't deemed him worthless. He'd make for a decent 5th outfielder. He's 26 years old and doesn't bring enough to the table to be a solid starting CF candidate.

And I think that conclusion is very premature.

 

Earlier I gave Brian Roberts' very similar MiLB line.

 

Here's another.

 

.300/.370/.379/.749 with 76 XBH in 1423 MiLB ABs.

Ages:

11th round pick out of Arizona as a 21 YO.

A- and A @ 22

A+ @ 23

AAA @ 24

MLB @ 25.

 

This guy has starred in the bigleagues for the last 16 years. He's Kenny Lofton.

 

Now am I saying Fuld is the next Kenny Lofton or Brian Roberts? Obviously not.

 

My point is, there isn't even the first Kenny Lofton or Brian Roberts if guys with this resume are pigeonholed as 5th OFs and utility MIs before they've even set foot in the majors.

 

lol, kenny lofton and sam fuld are on such different scales as far as athletic ability that it's hilarious

What we're discussing here, though, is baseball ability.