Video: Felix Pie 3R HR (4/21/08)

[Schwarber Fan]

Got lots of good comments for uploading the Cedeno slam, so here's Pie's blast.

 

I used the ESPN feed because watching the ball leave the yard is better with their view. Len dubbed in though.

 

http://media.putfile.com/Felix-Pie-3-Run-HR-42108

[weis21]

Thanks for the link. Judging strictly from the reaction of the dugout, lou in particular, you would have thought that would have won the game for us, not 3 more insurance runs. I think that was the happiest I've been for a single player's AB since Jacque was like 0-13 to start his career with the cubs and then hit a homer against the cards on Sunday Night Baseball.

[TruffleShuffle]

Thanks for the link. Judging strictly from the reaction of the dugout, lou in particular, you would have thought that would have won the game for us, not 3 more insurance runs. I think that was the happiest I've been for a single player's AB since Jacque was like 0-13 to start his career with the cubs and then hit a homer against the cards on Sunday Night Baseball.

 

from everything i've read, pie is a really good kid who works really hard to improve, and is very coachable. if all that is true, then the cubs have to give him every chance to succeed. he's got a lot of natural talent and the right attitude to improve and become a good player.

[TruffleShuffle]

to put it another way, as BP's nate silver recently wrote in a chat:

 

Did someone change the rules when I wasn't looking and decide that if a ballplayer has an underwhelming first 200 at-bats in a major league uniform when he's 22/23, he's completely done as a major league prospect? Yes, there's the Soriano injury now to force Lou's hand, but the Cubs just needed to commit to giving him 500 at-bats in a major league uniform this year, no questions asked. That's what the Red Sox were prepared to do with Dustin Pedroia last year, and that turned out very well for him. That's what organizations like the Braves, who know how to develop talent, do with their players.

[David]

to put it another way, as BP's nate silver recently wrote in a chat:

 

Did someone change the rules when I wasn't looking and decide that if a ballplayer has an underwhelming first 200 at-bats in a major league uniform when he's 22/23, he's completely done as a major league prospect? Yes, there's the Soriano injury now to force Lou's hand, but the Cubs just needed to commit to giving him 500 at-bats in a major league uniform this year, no questions asked. That's what the Red Sox were prepared to do with Dustin Pedroia last year, and that turned out very well for him. That's what organizations like the Braves, who know how to develop talent, do with their players.

 

Ironically, outside of the 200 AB figure, isn't that much the same argument that can be used in support of Ronny Cedeno?

[TruffleShuffle]

to put it another way, as BP's nate silver recently wrote in a chat:

 

Did someone change the rules when I wasn't looking and decide that if a ballplayer has an underwhelming first 200 at-bats in a major league uniform when he's 22/23, he's completely done as a major league prospect? Yes, there's the Soriano injury now to force Lou's hand, but the Cubs just needed to commit to giving him 500 at-bats in a major league uniform this year, no questions asked. That's what the Red Sox were prepared to do with Dustin Pedroia last year, and that turned out very well for him. That's what organizations like the Braves, who know how to develop talent, do with their players.

 

Ironically, outside of the 200 AB figure, isn't that much the same argument that can be used in support of Ronny Cedeno?

 

i suppose, although (a) cedeno certainly has a lower ceiling than Pie, (b) cedeno was given an entire year in the majors at age 23 to sink or swim, and he sank like a rock, and (b) cedeno has 550 more major league plate appearances than pie.

 

so actually, it's not ironical at all.

[David]

Is that a word?

[TruffleShuffle]

Is that a word?

 

actually, yes.

[rawaction]

to put it another way, as BP's nate silver recently wrote in a chat:

 

Did someone change the rules when I wasn't looking and decide that if a ballplayer has an underwhelming first 200 at-bats in a major league uniform when he's 22/23, he's completely done as a major league prospect? Yes, there's the Soriano injury now to force Lou's hand, but the Cubs just needed to commit to giving him 500 at-bats in a major league uniform this year, no questions asked. That's what the Red Sox were prepared to do with Dustin Pedroia last year, and that turned out very well for him. That's what organizations like the Braves, who know how to develop talent, do with their players.

 

I completely agree with what he is saying, but if he's complaining about people making a decision in 200ABs, he's making a decision on Pie's usage in 20 games. If Pie continue to get 1 start per week by this time next month, then there is a problem.

 

For once, I tend to side with Cubs coaching/management, because since Felix has been worked closely with, he's 3-6, with a HR.

[David]

Is that a word?

 

actually, yes.

 

that English language sure can be crazy sometimes, amirite?

[weis21]

to put it another way, as BP's nate silver recently wrote in a chat:

 

Did someone change the rules when I wasn't looking and decide that if a ballplayer has an underwhelming first 200 at-bats in a major league uniform when he's 22/23, he's completely done as a major league prospect? Yes, there's the Soriano injury now to force Lou's hand, but the Cubs just needed to commit to giving him 500 at-bats in a major league uniform this year, no questions asked. That's what the Red Sox were prepared to do with Dustin Pedroia last year, and that turned out very well for him. That's what organizations like the Braves, who know how to develop talent, do with their players.

 

I completely agree with what he is saying, but if he's complaining about people making a decision in 200ABs, he's making a decision on Pie's usage in 20 games. If Pie continue to get 1 start per week by this time next month, then there is a problem.

 

For once, I tend to side with Cubs coaching/management, because since Felix has been worked closely with, he's 3-6, with a HR.

 

Yeah, a lot of others around here were acting like they were benching pie permanently until he was sent back to Iowa. And although I cannot fault anyone for feeling that way given the Cubs' handling of prospects recently, I never felt like that was Lou's intentions. When Bruce said they were sitting him for a few games and giving him extra help to shorten his swing, I actually thought it was a good idea (assuming of course he would be getting steady ABs within a week or two).

[TruffleShuffle]

to put it another way, as BP's nate silver recently wrote in a chat:

 

Did someone change the rules when I wasn't looking and decide that if a ballplayer has an underwhelming first 200 at-bats in a major league uniform when he's 22/23, he's completely done as a major league prospect? Yes, there's the Soriano injury now to force Lou's hand, but the Cubs just needed to commit to giving him 500 at-bats in a major league uniform this year, no questions asked. That's what the Red Sox were prepared to do with Dustin Pedroia last year, and that turned out very well for him. That's what organizations like the Braves, who know how to develop talent, do with their players.

 

I completely agree with what he is saying, but if he's complaining about people making a decision in 200ABs, he's making a decision on Pie's usage in 20 games. If Pie continue to get 1 start per week by this time next month, then there is a problem.

 

For once, I tend to side with Cubs coaching/management, because since Felix has been worked closely with, he's 3-6, with a HR.

 

oh absolutely, i agree that if you see a significant flaw in a player's swing or approach, it's better to give him a little time off to work on the issue, rather than continuing to play in games and ingraining the problem to a greater degree. my concern over pie's lack of playing time stems more from the cubs' long history of impatience with position players. if the cubs organization had a history of developing players in a competent manner, then i wouldn't be worried about johnson or an outside solution (crisp) taking significant playing time away from pie.