leadoff spot soriano pie and theriot

by Glacier on Aug 20, 2007 9:09 PM CDT

With Soriano out for now, i was wondering what you guys think of atleast trying Pie leading off a few games. Im preety sure he did this in the minor leagues and hes not getting and good playing time so i think Pinella should give him a shot. Now im a hugh Theriot fan and i think hes doing great right now from the leadoff spot. Im just saying with Soriano out now i think we should give Pie a shot at leading of and see what happens. Maybe it will give him more confidence or make him more comfortable. Anyways what are all of your thoughts on this?

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I'd stick with Theriot...

I don't think it's the spot in the order that's troubling Pie. I think he needs to prove he can hit at all at the big league level before being handed the leadoff spot. Theriot has been fantastic in the leadoff spot since Soriano went down. Let's keep him there for the next couple of weeks, and if Pie plays he can bat 7th or 8th until he proves he can hit.

by SouthernCub on Aug 20, 2007 9:02 PM CDT reply actions

Why switch

it up now. Theriot is doing a terrific job at the top of order, so why change it if it isnt broken. I would like to see pie play if he is going to be on the roster. He really gave the club a spark when he was up earlier in the year, with his speed and defense.

by BigZ 4 Cy on Aug 20, 2007 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions

i agree

Theriot is doing a great job. Actually i think alot of people take him for granted. I mean he was never suppose to be that good of a major leauger. But he has taken the challenge and has succeded. I think Theriot is one of the biggest reasons were tied in first place right now. I mean compare him to other short stops in the national league. Ecspecial compared to Furcal, who ever wanted when he was a free agent including me. Theriot has great numbers, hes been preety cluth and great defensivley. All im saying is, i think its worth giving Pie atleast 1 game leading off if not 2 or 3. I do think the riot should start bascially every game at short and leadoff even when Soriano is back, but i means he could use a day off right now and why not let Pie give it a shot

by Glacier on Aug 21, 2007 1:11 AM CDT reply actions

To leadoff

don't you usually have to hit over .220

GO CUBS GO!!!!!!

by roach on Aug 21, 2007 1:25 AM CDT reply actions

thats a ridiculous thing

to say. pie has had barely at bats or playing times this year. this is how people thought of hill, they never really thought he can do anything above triple A but they just didnt give him time. now that hes had time hes been preety damn good. Maybe we need to give Pie a chance.

by Glacier on Aug 21, 2007 1:41 AM CDT reply actions

i'd agree if

we werent getting offensive production out of the leadoff spot
we werent getting production out of CF
we werent getting production out of RF

of course none of these things are happening so while i'd love to see Pie get plenty of AB's to prove himself its kind of counterintuitive to the "win now" mentality when we're getting good production of late out of the 3 areas he could fill in

by DartmouthCubsFan on Aug 21, 2007 7:34 AM CDT up reply actions

Nobody...

Nobody who knew anything about baseball thought that Hill could not compete at the major league level.

Pie, on the other hand, has major issues with his swing, and even bigger issues trying to hit decent breaking pitches.

And Theriot has been EXCELLENT in the lead-off spot since Soriano went down.

There is a reason why Pie isn't playing, and it isn't because of Jones blocking him. It is because he is not ready, and the Cubs are not confident that he can hit major league pitching.

visit the mindful mission.

by big_lowitzki on Aug 21, 2007 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Major-Minor different page

I know there's alot of people out there who follow the Cubs farm team closely. Please verify this..Pie was batting 3rd wasn't he. Even though he'll never be a 3 hitter with the big club, as long as Lee, Ramirez,...are still on roster. I know we had this problem with Patterson too. Seems like our minor leagues should be preparing guys for the big club and not winning the Minor League Pennant.

by Comfortably Numb on Aug 21, 2007 8:10 AM CDT reply actions

Pie

In AAA, Pie has had 185 ABs in the 2nd spot in the order and 36 ABs batting 3rd (Source)

Check out Road To Wrigley, my NEW Cubs Minor League System website: Road To Wrigley

by jonpyardi on Aug 21, 2007 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Pie will get his chance

next spring. Right now, the Cubs are in a playoff race and Jones, Ward and Floyd are better offensive weapons. Even when Pie plays, he should NOT leadoff. Theriot is a much better leadoff hitter until Soriano gets back and then the arguments between which of those two should leadoff can begin. There is no way Pie should be in that discussion.

by rlpete on Aug 21, 2007 9:12 AM CDT reply actions

Here is what Pie is learning now

He is learning the situational game of baseball at the MLB level during a pennant race. His role is strictly a late inning substitute for base-running and defensive purposes which is his strength. I am sure the hitting coaches are working on technique and fundamentals in his stance and swing (on the side) but there is only 9 days until the September call up anyway.

Pie will go to winter ball, work on his mechanics and approach for Spring training and come in and compete for the CF job next year.

Milw-09-24-98--Brown in for defense--bases loaded--flyball--HE DROPPED THE BALL!!!NO NO NO, cubs lose 8-7

by Ivy Walls on Aug 21, 2007 10:30 AM CDT reply actions

I'd like to see

Theriot continue to lead off even after Soriano comes back. There has been a lot of talk about the Cubs #2 hitter in the past couple of weeks, whether it has been Jacque or DeRosa. These guys have been hitting great, and part of that is because 1) Theriot seems to be on base a lot (definition of a true leadoff hitter) and 2) Lee and Ramirez hit 3 and 4. The #2 hitter is going to see some pitches, imagine if we could put Soriano in the 2 slot when he gets back, keeping Theriot at leadoff.

I understand that batting Soriano in the 2 slot has been discussed before, I just think this is a great opportunity to transition him into that role in the lineup.

by montanacubby on Aug 21, 2007 12:58 PM CDT reply actions

I saw Paul Sullivan in the Trib

mention that the leg injury could also be a factor in whether Soriano can still lead off. If that quad is still hurting, keeping Theriot and his speed at the top of the order will make sense to keep the speed pressure off Soriano. That could create the opening to try Soriano in an RBI slot.

by N Oakley on Aug 21, 2007 2:03 PM CDT reply actions

About flipping time.

All I have preached this year is how I want my man Ryan Theriot in the leadoff spot and Soriano batting in the two hole. It makes alot more sense. Soriano has pop and solo homers aren't cutting it. Plus he strikes out way too much and is very impatient to be a true leadoff hitter. I think we could be really explosive with this order.