The 2009 season included the Major League debut’s of a number of players that will play a prominent role in the future of the Baltimore Orioles. The May 29th debut of Matt Wieters represented a memorable changing of the guard for this franchise.

That day, I provided my revised projection for Wieters 2009 season. I expected Wieters to end 2009 with a .300 batting average, 15 homers, 57 rbi, a .850 OPS, 53 walks, 65 k’s, 19 doubles, 100 games, and 395 at-bats.

With 15 games left in the 2009 season, Wieters currently has a .271 batting average, 7 homers, 35 rbi, .714 OPS, 23 walks, 69 k’s, and 12 doubles. Wieters has played in 81 Major League games, and has 292 at-bats.

Obviously my expectations for Wieters were off-base. What clearly jumps out to me, is the lack of plate-discipline that is illustrated with his walk to k ratio. It is hard to show consistent power, if you are overly anxious, and regularly batting behind in the count.

6 of Wieters 7 homers have been opposite-field shots, which indicates his power-potential. He is going to have to show an increasing ability to turn on the fastball, and pull the ball.

Even for a catcher, I find Wieters to be a surprisingly poor athlete. He does not move well, and I am not just talking about pure speed. I am talking about his reaction-time, and his ability to turn his hips. He obviously needs some extended time in the gym, working on building his physical core. Personally, I would like to hear that he is going to spend his Winter working on increasing his ‘fast-twitch’ ability.

A winter where he works on his Speed/Agility/Quickness, Flexibility, and Strength would serve him well.

Vs. Left-handed pitching as a Right-handed batter, Wieters has struggled mightly. This is understandable, as you simply face less lefties. However, as Jim Palmer recently pointed-out, his bat is noticeably slower from the right-hand side.

Overall, Wieters is a big-man at 6’5, and has a long-swing. People might argue that a long-swing is not the same as having a slow-bat, but the result is the same. Wieters has missed too many fastballs this year, because he has not been able to quickly get his bat through the zone.

If you have read the above comments, you might think I am way down on Wieters. That could not be further from the truth. I see some holes in his current game, but nothing that outweighs his existing talent. Finishing this year with nearly 100 Major League games under his belt, Wieters is going to be positioned for a much stronger 2010.

He is going to go into this Winter, knowing exactly which adjustments are required for him to make.

He will come to Spring Training next year, not having to learn both the pitchers he faces, and the pitching staff he catches.

Wieters has an .817 OPS in September, and has improved his walk to k ratio. Hopefully, he can finish strong these last couple of weeks.

Like Reimold, I have found Wieters to be very impressive in every interview he has given. He has played under an intense focus, and has remained professional. If you think about it, some of his struggles this year were probably the first adversity Wieters has ever faced in baseball. Going through these struggles might ultimately prove to be a positive. The fact that he went through some of this adversity with the bat, and was able to improve as a defensive catcher speaks well to his character.

If you watch the young O’s pitchers speak of Wieters, their enthusiasm for his work behind the plate is clear. His throw-out of Carl Crawford the other night, is a testament to how hard Wieters has worked to improve as a catcher this year.

I continue to expect him to end 2010 regarded as one of the best catchers in all of baseball. If Mauer comes back to his career norms, vs. the insane 2009 season he has produced, Wieters could end next year as good as anyone.

Chris Stoner
Chris Stoner

Owner

Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.

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