Too early to worry about Pie?

[RynoRules]

I don't think he has developed the hitting eye and patience that we all hoped he would have by now. Is it too early to worry? Any historical comparisons (besides the oft-noted Cory Patterson) who trended this way and later developed into good ML-ers?

[Little Slide Rooter]

There was this one guy. I suppose he did OK. I think his name was LOU BROCK or something like that.

[JonnyRed]

Since he hasn't even started his first full season in the majors, I would say the answer is an emphatic NO. I don't understand the concern everyone has for a 23-year-old prospect who has succeeded at every level? Now, he may need time to adjust to major league pitching, but the same can be said for the vast majority of prospects. In the meantime, he'll still give us solid defense and speed. Let's all give the guy a chance.

[javy knows my name]

Since he hasn't even started his first full season in the majors, I would say the answer is an emphatic NO. I don't understand the concern everyone has for a 23-year-old prospect who has succeeded at every level? Now, he may need time to adjust to major league pitching, but the same can be said for the vast majority of prospects. In the meantime, he'll still give us solid defense and speed. Let's all give the guy a chance.

So by "no" you mean "yes?" I agree with you; but I can understand the skepticism and mistrust among some on this board, which was largely bred by our own front office.

[Derwood]

yes, too early

[C.C.]

At least give him a half of a season before we start the Patterson comparisons.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

it's very much too early -- he's barely through puberty

[jersey cubs fan]

It's never to early to worry about a prospect. It's too early to give up on him. But the comparisons to Patterson have been valid for a few years now, the worries about a guy who strikes out a lot and does not walk much have been around for years, justifiably so.

 

He's done more than enough to deserve a shot, a fairly significant one in fact.

[UK1679666180]

It's not too early to worry, he has obvious flaws (long swing, expanding strike zone) and he still has to get the 1st step of hitting major league pitching and then once he does that, will he adjust to pitchers if they figure him out.

[CUBZ99]

Why is everyone talking about Pie like he has had a bad spring? If a .832 OPS (from Mlb.com) is not good enough to win him the job, then Lou's expectations regarding a CF are unrealistic. The Cubs need to let him have a few months to adjust to the pitching and play. Pie has succeeded at every level that he has played at for an extended period of time.

[KingCubsFan]

It's never to early to worry about a prospect. It's too early to give up on him. But the comparisons to Patterson have been valid for a few years now, the worries about a guy who strikes out a lot and does not walk much have been around for years, justifiably so.

 

He's done more than enough to deserve a shot, a fairly significant one in fact.

I think that has more to do with the fact that he's a CF prospect on the Cubs than anything else. Pie has been a much better baseball player than Corey Patterson at every level of professional baseball (outside of low A), and has shown more or a willingness to be patient than Corey ever did. He'll never put up a .400 OBP, but I dont' think he's going to swing his way out of the major leagues either

[jersey cubs fan]

It's never to early to worry about a prospect. It's too early to give up on him. But the comparisons to Patterson have been valid for a few years now, the worries about a guy who strikes out a lot and does not walk much have been around for years, justifiably so.

 

He's done more than enough to deserve a shot, a fairly significant one in fact.

I think that has more to do with the fact that he's a CF prospect on the Cubs than anything else. Pie has been a much better baseball player than Corey Patterson at every level of professional baseball (outside of low A), and has shown more or a willingness to be patient than Corey ever did. He'll never put up a .400 OBP, but I dont' think he's going to swing his way out of the major leagues either

 

Saying the comparisons are valid does not insinuate one thinks they are the same player. Pie has many of the same flaws Patterson has. He's also had a different career path to date, and may wind up doing much more than Corey at the big league level.

[Tyrant]

There was this one guy. I suppose he did OK. I think his name was LOU BROCK or something like that.

 

It seems this is your argument:

 

Because Lou Brock existed, we shouldn't worry about Felix Pie.

[Guest]

There was this one guy. I suppose he did OK. I think his name was LOU BROCK or something like that.

 

It seems this is your argument:

 

Because Lou Brock existed, we shouldn't worry about Felix Pie.

Just as valid as:

 

Because Corey Patterson existed, we should give up on Felix Pie.

 

Neither one is right.

[Soul]

SS & CF are probably going to be big holes for us no matter what. We may as well try to at least learn about some players, give them some time at the major leagues. If that means play Pie and live with a few struggles, then so be it.

[Warpticon]

He's struggled a bit, but it's nothing to get your junk twisted over.

[Derwood]

He's struggled a bit, but it's nothing to get your junk twisted over.

 

 

http://www.uncov.com/assets/2007/6/29/fry-see-what-you-did-there-scaled.jpg

[javy knows my name]

Quoted ST numbers to make a point

Meh.

[sneakypower]

I don't think he has developed the hitting eye and patience that we all hoped he would have by now.

 

well he showed better plate discipline last year than alex gordon, chris young, lastings milledge, ryan braun, saltalamacchia, pence, crawford, kemp, soriano, khalil greene, phillips, delmon young, and kendrick, to name a few, and nobody seems to have similar trepidations that those players will have quality seasons this year and productive careers.

 

maybe if he lucks into a .417 babip this season like kemp last year we'll all think he's a fantastic player.

[JonnyRed]

Man, after today's game Pie is only batting .340....I'm about ready to jump off the ledge!

[CUBZ99]

Quoted ST numbers to make a point

Meh.

 

For a young player that worked on his swing during winter ball and is seeing major league pitching for the first time since those changes, I would say that his spring training numbers have some value. Beyond the numbers, you can see that he is finally doing some of the things that the Cubs had been hoping he would do earlier, i.e. be more selective, bunt, put the ball in play and use his speed, etc.

 

Today he was impressive vs. a LHP. What more can the kid do to win the starting CF spot on the team? If Pie hasn't won a job this spring, than all the talk of the CF job being open was a farce.

[sneakypower]

i could live with a 952 OPS from him this year

[sneakypower]

What more can the kid do to convince fans to give him a chance?

fixed

[TruffleShuffle]

What more can the kid do to convince fans to give him a chance?

fixed

 

i think just about everyone on this board is willing to give him an extended chance in CF. but, i think it would be wise to understand that he is not a sure thing, and that there may be a point this season where the cubs have to throw in the towel on him and find a guy who will perform at a higher level. this is not a 70-win team; the cubs can't throw guys out there and allow them to fail for an entire year.

[sneakypower]

the consensus on the board all winter was to trade him for mediocre SS who's coming on FA soon. for as much complaining is done about the Soriano contract, wouldn't it stay consistent with their rationale that the bad contract for Soriano necessitates contribution from minimum salary players for the next several seasons? this is where felix, soto, e-patt and theriot/cedeno come in. there are probably few players more important than pie for assuring our window of opportunity isn't closing in a couple years.

 

this is, unless we get a big spender owner.