Pittsburgh Pirates Sign Felix Pie
By Matt Shetler
The Pittsburgh Pirates haven’t been active at all when it comes to improving their major league product, but they did sign another player to a minor league contract.
May 20, 2011; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Felix Pie (18) singles in the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Nationals defeated the Orioles 17 – 5. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-US PRESSWIRE
This time they signed former top prospect Felix Pie to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to spring training. Pie, 27, spent the 2012 season with the Braves’ top affiliate and hit .285/.338/.459 in 365 plate appearances.
Pie was once a highly thought of prospect with the Cubs organization, a speedy outfielder that they thought could become a legitimate leadoff hitter. In 2009 they finally gave up on that idea and traded Pie to Baltimore for Garrett Olson.
He has played in 398 career games over the course of five major league seasons and is a career .249 with 17 homers and 97 RBI in 1,051 career plate appearances. Pie was never able to use his speed as a weapon, stealing only 20 career bases. Much of that though is due to his inability to get on base, posting a career on-base percentage of only .298.
His last season (2011) with the Orioles, Pie hit only .220 with a .264 OBP in 85 games.
It’s been a frustrating first couple of weeks of the offseason for Pirates’ fans and the news of another minor-league signing doesn’t help ease the frustration much.