Jeff Fiorentino Can Hit...DEAL WITH IT!

by j.q. higgins on Aug 2, 2009 9:39 AM EDT Comment 59 comments

not to be an arrogant jeff fiorentino fan, but he's putting together a fine season at norfolk. he's not a world beater for sure, but he DOES play all three outfield positions, is sporting a nifty .403 OBP, a .533 SLG and has hit into only ONE double play. he's always been regarded as a guy that can get on base, but maybe his bump in SLG this season is a result of him entering his prime years. it should also be noted that he's only a few months older than reimold...it seems like ages ago that he got called up to the big squad in the "summer of screech."

note, i'm not advocating he be called up this instant to replace anybody, just that he's been a good soldier, is performing well and should the opportunity arise, should get a shot.

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i remeber fiorentino!

glad to see he’s doing good again.

"Hey ump, how about a warning? Sure. Watch out you don't get killed". -Moonlight Graham talking to an umpire after two straight pitches at his head

by BaltimoreSportsFan on Aug 2, 2009 10:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Psh...

can he jump a car?

Matt Wieters can get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop in under one lick.

by daveh873 on Aug 2, 2009 10:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well, in fairness...

we don’t know that he can’t.

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 2, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jeff

A Google search yielded that he’s #2 of 5 top prospect surprises of the first half of the 2009 season, but I can’t access the article.

He’s got a .330 average too…

Well, if something happens to Pie, he could be our 4th infielder?

by O Nina on Aug 2, 2009 10:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Doh

of 5 top prospect surprises for the Orioles, that is.

by O Nina on Aug 2, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

why did it format like that? “Number 2 of 5” is what I mean.

by O Nina on Aug 2, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's an SBN shortcut for numbered lists

If you start a bunch of lines with the number sign, it automatically converts. So

# item 1
# item 2

gives you

item 1
item 2

"The single best thing any rebuilding manager can do, ever, is trade a relief pitcher in late July for a couple of solid prospects."
— Rob Neyer, July 30, 2009

by zknower on Aug 2, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

haven't you heard?

Felix is our number two hitter now.

.240!!!

1933 was a bad year

by Senatorrosewater on Aug 2, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sooo....

why is Pie still on the roster? ugh, the minor league system is full of outfield prospects that are reaching potential right now… just last year it was being discussed that Reimold was log jammed in the system because they have too many freaking outfielders. It’s time to cut ties with Pie as soon as Montanez is healthy and bring up Fiorentino when the rosters expand next month.

by Heckler on Aug 3, 2009 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No

Neither Montanez nor Fiorentino are outfield prospects. Lou might have a role as 4th outfielder, but Fiorentino is organizational filler.

What exactly do you want from Felix Pie? He has been a model 4th outfielder.

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 3, 2009 7:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have to agree

I was extremely anti-Pie, but I don’t know how you can complain at this point.

He defense has been very good, he’s actually started to hit a bit and he doesn’t bitch about his playing time.

"Hey Yankees... you can take your apology and your trophy and shove 'em straight up your ass!" --Tanner Boyle

by BirdFanInPhilly on Aug 3, 2009 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I pretty much wanted Felix gone, also

but his attitude, effort and production in July proves he’s useful as a 4th outfielder. Keep him!

"We're not the other teams' farm system." - Andy MacPhail

by duck on Aug 3, 2009 9:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will pile onto this

He plays all 3 positions, doesn’t complain, has upside and doesn’t complain. I’m amazed that a former top prospect has not complained about being demoted to a backup. Also if one of our OF’ers ever go down and he can play well he could be useful trade bait.

"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law

by Reddrummer9187 on Aug 3, 2009 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pie

was a top prospect that the Orioles actually traded for (not that who they traded was any good, but still). He’s gotten better since the beginning of the year, but any improvement from his production at the start of the season is going to look good. I’m still not convinced that he deserves a spot on the roster.

by Heckler on Aug 3, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He obviously doesnt deserve a spot when we have such better options.

I bet he cant even jump a car.

by kba26 on Aug 3, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd agree with you if there was someone better

Fiorentino and Montanez aren’t.

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 3, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

two words:

joey. gathright.

by twistedlogic on Aug 3, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Felix is better than him

other than at car jumping.

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 3, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i was being sarcastic

but i’m fairly sure that gathright could do anything felix pie does just as well as felix pie. that includes car jumping.

by twistedlogic on Aug 3, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ah ok

It’s hard to tell with people sometimes.

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 3, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i forgot to add /sarcasm to my post

by twistedlogic on Aug 3, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm still not sure.

by kba26 on Aug 3, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

that Pie is better than Gathright?

or not sure he was being sarcastic?

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 3, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm absolutely sure that Pie is better than Gathright (car jumping aside).

I assumed the first comment was sarcastic, but was confused by the second.

by kba26 on Aug 3, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it was made to confuse you!

by twistedlogic on Aug 3, 2009 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i wouldn't mind

seeing gathright given a chance. it’s not like the Orioles have been in last place for 11 years or anything…

by Heckler on Aug 4, 2009 1:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

stats don't lie

Gathright has been a better major league player with limited opportunity then Pie has been. It’s close to not even being a question… regardless of your sarcasm, Gathright might be the better option.

by Heckler on Aug 4, 2009 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's just not true

I mean, maybe it’s true in the most technical sense, but it’s not logical. Joey Gathright has been in and out of the majors since 2004. His OPS+ in those years has been 53 (19 games), 76 (76 games), 61 (134 games), 88 (74 games), 59 (105 games), and 27 (this year with the Cubs but you can’t really count that it’s only 14 AB). Those are awful, awful numbers. 88 isn’t the worst thing ever for a 4th OF, but look at the rest of them.

Felix Pie’s OPS+ in his three years in the majors are 53 (87 games), 64 (43 games) and 71 (this year, in 61 games). Also pretty ugly numbers. But then consider these facts:

Joey Gathright was drafted in the 32nd round and born 1981. Felix Pie was considered a top prospect in the Cubs system for years and also happens to be three years younger. It’s entirely possible that Felix Pie will end up no better than Joey Gathright, but given the facts he deserves a chance to prove it.

Also, if you look at Pie’s stats since he stopped playing every day, they’re quite good. Since May 17th (a rough date picked based on when he stopped playing every day) he’s batting .300/.340/.420. Those are very good numbers for a backup OF who plays above average defense. It’s a small sample size, of course, but so is his entire season which you’re throwing about.

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 4, 2009 6:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

seriously, though...

during the dark, dark jay payton era would people not have killed for a 4th OF that could post an OPS comfortable in the .700s?

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 4, 2009 7:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gathrights stats over the past season and a half dont even touch Pie's (which is hard to do)

Thats why i was confused by this post. Even ignoring future potential, Pie is RIGHT NOW a better player than Gathright.

by kba26 on Aug 4, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good grief

i did not mean to bust the guns out with my snarky remark. honestly i dont care cuz its not like he starts anyways.

by twistedlogic on Aug 4, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

naw, dude

It’s not you. It’s the Heckler.

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 4, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, totally not you.

I was all prepared to go on a why Pie is better than Gathright rant yesterday when i initially missed the snark. I just dont see how Gathright could actually be an improvement (unless you make up the stats).

by kba26 on Aug 4, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

well he'd be an improvement

in car jumping skillz.

by twistedlogic on Aug 4, 2009 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well thats undeniable

Joey Gathright’s value will skyrocket as soon they park a car in the outfield

by kba26 on Aug 4, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmm then we ought to trade him to houston

they have all sorts of shit out in their outfield like hills and flagpoles

by twistedlogic on Aug 4, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and a statue of carlos lee!

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 4, 2009 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd pay the price of a ticket

to see Joey Gathright leap over Carlos Lee.

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 4, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he'd be driving the car he jumped

by twistedlogic on Aug 4, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've changed my mind, i want Gathright to be called up.

I’m envisioning a new scoreboard game, perhaps during one of the early innings.

Something along the lines of “Can Joey jump over this?” You could could even tailor the things he jumps over to specific opponents or holidays.

Pie always ruins everything.

by kba26 on Aug 4, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

EXCELLENT

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 4, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

joey jumps over...

….a thanksgiving turkey?

that sounds badass……

by twistedlogic on Aug 5, 2009 7:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

model outfielder

according to Orioles terms. You can ask any minor league player to play all three outfield positions if it meant that he would be promoted to the major league team. Pie is hitting .240 this season, even while given the opportunity to bat in the number two slot half the time. He strikes out once every four at-bats… pretty much, once a game, maybe twice when he’s batting at the top of the order and seeing more plate appearances. He has one stolen base, although I guess you could chalk that up to his inability to get on base (.291 OBP). Sure, his defense may be solid, but the Orioles outfield isn’t the problem when it comes to defensive problems.

A better example of a model 4th outfielder might be somebody like Gabe Kapler, who, by the way, was available two years ago since he was spending his time in Japan. He comes through defensively when needed (also can play all three outfield positions) and is offensively capable of holding his own (.248, stikes out almost half as much as Pie, and has an OBP that is 40 points higher than Felix). This is the difference between the Orioles and a contending team.

My point is that Felix Pie is overrated and his reputation proceeds him.

by Heckler on Aug 4, 2009 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sigh

Felix Pie has struck out 30 times in 139 plate appearances. That’s 21%, not 25%. He’s only struck out twice in a game 5 times, 4 of which were when he was playing every day and struggling. Since May 17th (a date I mentioned in my post above), he’s struck out 10 times (18.5%)

Adam Jones strikes out 19% of the time.
Matt Wieters strikes out 20% of the time.

Gabe Kapler doesn’t strike out much, that’s true (13%). But it’s not half as much as Pie. His OBP is .327 and Felix’s is .307. That’s 20 points, not 40.

STATS DON’T LIE.

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 4, 2009 6:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Although I guess you were looking at career numbers

Which isn’t a fair comparison considering Kapler is 10 years older than Pie and has played in 1008 career games. Felix has played in 191.

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Aug 4, 2009 6:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also Pie

Would play much better defense than Kapler

"I have seen the future and his name is Matt Wieters." Keith Law

by Reddrummer9187 on Aug 4, 2009 9:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

when I said “if something happens to Pie” I meant if he got injured. I agree that he’s a perfectly capable utility outfielder and the fact that he “doesn’t bitch about his playing time [in the words of duck]” is admirable.

by O Nina on Aug 3, 2009 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and frankly...

it’s not like he couldn’t bitch if he wanted to. i mean, melvin’s loose grasp of the english language doesn’t stop him.

"If they pitch to you, make them pay."

--Diamond Dave to the Phenom

by j.q. higgins on Aug 3, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i dont get why he would bitch about his playing time

the stats dont lie. he was awful as a starter in april. if he did bitch about his playing time, it’d be very similar to melvin mora. both play decent defense (i actually think melvin’s isn’t that bad), but dont hit that well. calling him a model 4th outfielder is really stretching it considering he’s only been a 4th OF for a short time, but maybe i’m being a little unfair cuz he has hit, IMO, very well in the past couple of weeks.

by twistedlogic on Aug 4, 2009 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs