The Book on Matt Wieters

Prospect Info

BALMatt Wieters
Born 5/21/1986
C, BAL

Last year it was Geovany Soto. This year, another catcher could run away with Rookie of the Year honors, at least if the minor league track record and buzz are any indicators. Baseball America's 2008 Minor League Player of the Year, Wieters can hit for both average and power, and he seems to be showing the defensive skills necessary to remain behind the plate long-term. His award-winning minor league season also helped further polish his already natural leadership skills, which should help him with a young pitching staff like Baltimore's.

Of course, if Baltimore's bullpen keeps falling apart the way it has for the last few years, the Orioles may look to Wieters other abilities. In college, he served double duty as GT's closer, taking off his catching gear for the ninth inning and bringing a 98mph fastball to the table.

While nobody knows how many games he can gear up for (the 130 he played last year more than doubled his previous high), it looks like Baltimore is going to give Wieters a shot as their everyday catcher in 2009. He may stumble early, but he won't give the job up for the next decade.

Ranking in ScoutingBook (7/4/2009): #1

Ranking in Baseball America 2009: #1

Ranking in Baseball Prospectus: #1

Ranking in MiLB.com 2009 Season Preview: #2

Ranking from the Sporting News: #3

Ranking from ESPN: #1

Player Updates and Notes

Matt Wieters topped rookie David Price in the disappointing 2009 debut department by going 0-for-4 with a strikeout last night. He'll have a long leash.

5/30/2009 by DataBoy

The Orioles will call up super-prospect Matt Wieters for this weekend's series against Detroit. Wieters was underperforming a bit in the minors, so expectations should be damped down just a bit, but the odds are good he'll be up to stay. The Tigers provide a nice easy learning curve, too, for a player most expect to anchor Baltimore's lineup for years to come.

5/26/2009 by KDaddy

So much for slow and steady. The Orioles have traded veteran catcher Ramon Hernandez to Cincinnati, apparently clearing the way for minor-league batting champ Matt Wieters to open 2009 with the big-league club.

12/9/2008 by KDaddy

Despite fan pressure, the Orioles are determined to move Wieters slowly. According to O's Player Development head David Stockstill: '[The fans] want it to happen in one or two years, but that won't happen. I think he's got the tools, the ability and the mental strength to get there in the next three years, though.

3/1/2008 by KDaddy

 

 

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