[bears9]

MESA, Ariz. -- So is this finally the Year of Felix Pie? The Cubs' latest, greatest outfield prospect certainly is getting his best shot at a bona fide major-league job this spring in center field.

And whether the best shot is the last shot, the man who would be the next Rickey Henderson -- or the next Corey Patterson -- is taking no chances.

Gerald Perry over the winter in the Dominican Republic, Pie showed up to camp earlier than some pitchers to continue his daily extra work on such fundamentals as bunting and base stealing.


Those skills, plus learning to stick to swinging at pitches in his middle-down area of strength, are necessities for Pie, the Cubs' coaching staff says. If he can't find lasting improvement in those areas, then the seventh-year professional isn't going to find a lasting job in the majors, where he was exposed in an 87-game debut last season (.215 average, 43 strikeouts in 177 at-bats).

Pie wants to prove he's ready :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Cubs