Melewski: Keep Reimold in LF

[Can_of_corn]

What's their to refute? You have no argument.

You say he didn't do it great in the minors, so why should we expect different?

To act as if players don't improve from their minor league numbers at all is a joke and is just something you are throwing out there to try and prove what little fact you can come up with.

As opposed to your argument that he couldn't do it in the minors but I have an irrational like for him as a player so I think he should get the chance to prove he can't do it in the majors either.

Pie would have to significantly improve his preformance against LHP, I never said some improvment is not possible, but we would be talking 100+ bump in OPS for a corner outfield spot.

Heck why don't the O's bring up Rowell and see how he does at first base? Maybe he can get better at the major league level.

[DrungoHazewood]

Everyone seems to be banking Pie putting 10-20 UZR in LF. That is very hard to do consistently.

That's mainly because not too many teams have two center fielders. If you're a 10-20 UZR left fielder that's because you're really a good center fielder but your team already has one who's better.

You don't see too many teams with Adam Everett at short and Omar Vizquel at second, either.

[Sports Guy]

As opposed to your argument that he couldn't do it in the minors but I have an irrational like for him as a player so I think he should get the chance to prove he can't do it in the majors either.

Pie would have to significantly improve his preformance against LHP, I never said some improvment is not possible, but we would be talking 100+ bump in OPS for a corner outfield spot.

Heck why don't the O's bring up Rowell and see how he does at first base? Maybe he can get better at the major league level.

No we wouldn't.

If all he has is a 700 OPS against lefties, he could very easily be an all around above average LFer.

[TyCobb]

That's mainly because not too many teams have two center fielders. If you're a 10-20 UZR left fielder that's because you're really a good center fielder but your team already has one who's better.

You don't see too many teams with Adam Everett at short and Omar Vizquel at second, either.

So you think Pie is an elite fielding CFer?

[RShack]

I'd like to know how Pie did against LHP in August and September. I seem to remember a couple of games where I said to myself, "wow, now he's hitting lefties, too!".

This is all much ado about nothing IMO. Both guys will play, and we'll see how they do. Hopefully they both will do well. If not, the one who does worse will find himself on the bench a little more often.

Sabathia: 2 for 3; 2 singles and a K

Buehrle: Sac fly scoring BRob and a solo dinger

Pettitte: K and a BB

Lester: 2 for 5; single, double, FB-out to deep CF; 5-3, K

He certainly didn't look lost vs. lefties...

[Leitch]

So you think Pie is an elite fielding CFer?

Him and about 90% of the scouting community for the last 5 years

[Arthur_Bryant]

So you think Pie is an elite fielding CFer?

Yes. This has been a common if not universal observation of Pie since he was in the high minors.

[TyCobb]

Him and about 90% of the scouting community for the last 5 years

Can't wait to see that this year.

[alexei606]

So, we can put you down as someone who doesn't believe that young players can ever get better at something they struggle at...Gotcha. Thanks for adding this to the thread...It was vital!

You know this also pertains to Reimold with his OF defense. You brought up Tony's scouting report in the Minors to back up your argument and still suggest that he won't be any more than an average OF. Even so, Reimold with his power and hitting ability plus average defense > than Pie's in LF. Now, CF is a different story. I still contend that Reimold has the potential to be an above average LF and then he is very valuable. I believe that it is an extreme waste of talent to put a 26 yr old speedy OF with a plus, plus arm at DH or 1B. I also think that putting Pie at LF is a misuse of his skill set if he proves that he is an everyday player. Otherwise, he is a fourth OF.

BTW, every report has indicated that Reimold is right on schedule to play in the field for Spring Training. Whereas, Pie was held out of playing Winter Ball due to a slow healing quadracep.

[alexei606]

First step is a big deal, as you know, because it sets your route. I agree that if the first step is improved upon it would help. I also agree that the ball is going to travel a little different to LF than it does to right, though it isn't as difficult as a shift from a corner to center.

My concern is that a lot of this is tained reflex. Knowing at contact where that ball generally lands and setting off that way. I thought Reimold had issues with distance as much as trajectory, which shouldn't be the case in a right to left shift. I think being healthier will aid his tracking (which is pretty good), but I'm not sure I expect a big bump in off-the-bat reads if he isn't there already. But when you get down to it, what do I really know? He's a good athlete -- maybe my concerns are way off.

Ok - thanks for your answer. I haven't seen Reimold in person to be able to judge if he gets good reads off the bat, (watching games via the computer and on NESN when the Red Sox play the Orioles just doesn't give you that perspective) but, it is my contention that this can improve with repetition and playing time. He may not be able to fully compensate for this though IIRC, Trembley did state that he was getting better on going back and needed to be less timid coming in (apparently he was being too "deferential" to the IFers and not taking charge when he should have been).

[Stotle]

Ok - thanks for your answer. I haven't seen Reimold in person to be able to judge if he gets good reads off the bat, (watching games via the computer and on NESN when the Red Sox play the Orioles just doesn't give you that perspective) but, it is my contention that this can improve with repetition and playing time. He may not be able to fully compensate for this though IIRC, Trembley did state that he was getting better on going back and needed to be less timid coming in (apparently he was being too "deferential" to the IFers and not taking charge when he should have been).

Like I said, I could be way off. Certainly wouldn't be the first time. I do like Reimold very much and hope he's the BAL clean-up hitter for the next six years.

[alexei606]

Like I said, I could be way off. Certainly wouldn't be the first time. I do like Reimold very much and hope he's the BAL clean-up hitter for the next six years.

Me too! Thanks again for your insight.

[Sports Guy]

Like I said, I could be way off. Certainly wouldn't be the first time. I do like Reimold very much and hope he's the BAL clean-up hitter for the next six years.

Something that can't get lost here.

We all like Reimold and his upside....This is more about needing to see Pie moreso than it is about Reimold.

Reimold's value could be at DH or first...Pie's value is only as an OFer.

[Stacey]

Here's a nice counterargument to Melewski's position by Dave Golebiewski.

Pie Ready for Everyday Play

[Hank Scorpio]

Pie is a better defensive centerfielder than Jones.

I think he's better off in center, but the Orioles won't move Jones.