In a previous blog-entry I discussed Nolan Reimold and and Felix Pie:
http://baltimoresportsandlife.blogspot.com/2009/04/thoughts-on-nolan-reimold-and-pie.html
I am a fan of Pie… I do not believe that 50 poor at-bats with the Orioles, carries more weight than the production he has produced at the AA, and AAA levels…. do not believe the O’s should toss aside the 24 year-old.
As long as the roster is currently configured as it is… I believe Pie needs to be playing everyday, and hopefully get another 70 at-bats in May.
If Pie gets 70 May at-bats, I anticipate him getting around 18 hits… Making him cumulatively 26 for 118, which would give him a .220 average.
If that is the case, his on-base% will probably be around .312. A .220 average, and a .312 on-base% at the end of May, would be nothing to write home about, but would position Pie with something to build on heading to June.
If Pie had not achieved that level of production by the end of May, the switch to Reimold on an everyday-basis would be pretty clear.
On Orioles Hangout, there is a poll of 160 members, asking if Pie would clear waivers.
127 (80%) say would Pie would not… 33 (20%) say that Pie would.
Personally, I doubt that Pie would, but it is possible.
Even if it was likely that he would clear waivers, I disagree with the idea that it is worth the risk of finding out.
When did the system become so rich with positional prospects, that you casually cast aside a 24 year old that has performed at the AA, and AAA levels?
The most frustrating part of this year, has been the constant harping on Pie.
Not everyone is able to ascend to the majors in a seamless transition… that does not mean development will not occur.
2008 AAA age 23 – 335 at-bats, 802 OPS, 96 hits, 20 doubles, 5 triples, 10 homers, 55 rbi, 11 steals, 7 caught stealing, 54 k’s, 23 walks, 287 avg, 336 onbase, 466 slugging
2007 AAA age 22 – 229 at-bats, 973 OPS, 83 hits, 9 doubles, 5 triples, 9 homers, 43 rbi, 9 steals, 6 caught stealing, 40 k’s, 19 walks, 362 avg, 410 onbase, 563 slugging
2007 & 2008 combined MLB stats – 260 at-bats, 615 OPS, 58 hits, 11 doubles, 4 triples, 3 homers, 30 rbi, 11 steals, 1 caught stealing, 72 k’s, 21 walks, 223 avg, 284 onbase, 331 slugging
Ok… with all of that said… I think it is time to promote Nolan Reimold.
2009 is not about competeing… it is about the development of the future core… but is is important to not allow things to unravel either.
The idea of leaving Toronto possibly 8 games behind the Jays through the first weekend of May, should scare everyone in the organization.
It really is nothing against Pie at this point, but Reimold has made it impossible to ignore his production.
2009 AAA – 75 at-bats, .413 average, 8 homers, 5 doubles, 24 rbi, 10 walks, 15 k’s, and a 1.289 OPS.
This is on the heels of Reimold’s AA career:
Reimold’s AA Career – 690 at-bats, 290 avg, 44 doubles, 3 triples, 35 homers, 116 rbi, 116 runs, 78 walks, 129 k’s.. 1 XBH per 8.41 at-bats.
Send Montanez back to AAA, make Pie the 4th OF, and insert Reimold in LF as the everyday starter.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.