Felix Pie

2013

There was no outlook written for Felix Pie.

2012

Pie continued to struggle at the major league level, posting a mere .544 OPS in 85 games with the Orioles in 2011. His power has simply never developed and his glove is only good enough for a corner outfield spot. The Indians signed him to a minor league deal in December and are giving him an opportunity to compete for an Opening Day roster spot during spring training, but it seems unlikely that he'll ever approach the expectations from his days as a top prospect for the Cubs.

2011

Last year was supposed to be a critical season in Pie's development, but a significant shoulder injury in April lost half of his season. When he returned, Pie stagnated at the plate, walking just 13 times in 288 at-bats. The comparisons to Corey Patterson remain pertinent, though Pie hasn't yet hit for the same power that Patterson once displayed. Pie entered 2010 competing with Nolan Reimold for at-bats, and chances are he'll be doing the same at the start of the 2011 season.

2010

After a terrible start to the season, Pie lost his job to Nolan Reimold. Just when it seemed it was the end of the line, injuries forced Pie back into an everyday role. He had a very impressive August only to sizzle once again in September. There is no doubt that Reimold, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis will be the starting trio in the outfield, but the Orioles already know they have a chance to get production out of Pie as a fourth outfielder. His production will depend almost entirely on injuries, but there is little to get excited about unless you get him off the wire as a potential cheap source of steals.

2009

The Cubs' former top prospect won the center field job in spring training due to lack of competition and promptly played himself out of it, with poor contact skills, no plate discipline and little power. Pie's still just 24, but at this point he's all tools and no skills (at least offensively), and his confidence probably isn't sky high, either. At press time, Pie's name surfaced in trade rumors, and he's far from untouchable now that much of the shine has faded from his star.

2008

Pie raked in 229 Triple-A at-bats last year, but the Cubs top prospect and center fielder of the future struggled after his callup, failing to hit for average or power while displaying his trademark poor plate discipline. Pie's got all the tools, and his mastery of the high minors since age 20 gives him a high ceiling in the long term. But it's unclear whether he's ready to hold down the team's starting center field job just yet. At press time, the Cubs have no one else -- Angel Pagan and Sam Fuld are the only other center fielders on the roster -- so it looks like we're going to find out.

2007

A tremendous athlete considered by many to be the Cubs best prospect, Pie had a decent enough season for a 21-year-old at Triple-A in 2006, hitting for serviceable average, drawing some walks and even showing a little pop. His problem is that he has poor instincts in the field and on the bases—though Pie can fly, he was caught 11 times in 28 attempts. He also strikes out far too much. On the bright side, the Cubs don't have a long-term solution in center field at press time, and that means Pie should be in the big leagues at some point this season.

2006

The best athlete and top prospect in the Cubs organization, Pie would have seen a July call-up had he not suffered a bone bruise in his ankle. To that point, the then 20-year old Pie had hit Double-A pitching for average and even a fair amount of pop. Pie can fly, but his poor base running instincts result in too many caught-stealings, and his plate discipline needs work. With Juan Pierre in the mix for this season, expect Pie to start the year in the high minors and get called up at some point during the year.

2005

After an encouraging campaign at low Single-A in 2003, Pie went .297/.358/.441 at high Single-A last season, which for a 19-year-old isn't too shabby. That said, his talent is still on the raw side. Despite his speed, he has yet to develop base-stealing instincts, resulting in 18 CS in 50 attempts, and he needs to improve his plate discipline as he moves to higher levels. Expect a good test at Double-A in 2005. If he does well, he could make his first appearance in the majors sometime in 2006.

2004

At just 18 years of age, Pie went .285/.346/.388 at Low-A last season in 505 at-bats while drawing 41 walks against 98 strikeouts. Pie has excellent speed, but has yet to develop base-stealing instincts as evidenced by his 13 caught-stealings in 32 stolen base attempts. Pie has excellent range in center field, and his plate discipline and on-base skills are impressive for his age. He projects as a prototypical leadoff hitter who can hit for a good average, draw a walk and steal a base, but he isn't likely to develop much power. Expect Pie to spend 2004 in High-A.

2003

Pie began his career in the Arizona League (rookie ball) in 2002 as a 17-year old. In 218 at-bats he hit .321 with a .569 slugging percentage, led the league in triples (13), and stole 17 bases. Quite a feat for someone in his third year of organized baseball. Scouts are already making comparisons to Vladimir Guerrero, and he's the youngest player on Baseball America's Top 100 list for 2003. One of the most athletic players in the minors, he's a legitimate five-tool prospect with an enormous upside. He will begin the season in Low-A with the Lansing Lugnuts and his arrival to the majors should be sometime in 2006.