It’s finally here.
After seasoning in AAA Norfolk, and realizing that Greg Zaun cannot hit a beach ball, The Orioles have decided to give their prized number one prospect a shot at the big league level. Wieters, who is hitting .285 with 26 RBIs in 38 games played so far at the AAA level, will face a pretty hittable pitcher in his first game as a major leaguer; Dontrelle Willis.
General Manager Andy MacPhail let it be known on MASN’s pre game show before Tuesday night’s matchup against Toronto. After raking to start his professional career, it been all about seasoning so far this season. According to Norfolk manager Gary Allenson, there isn’t much that Wieters needs to work on (Obviously…):
“He doesn’t have to work on a lot. If anything, he needs to get better on specific skills. He does a real good job calling a game but there are still little tweaks there, little things that come with experience.”
Wieters, who threw out 40% of runners last season, has fallen to about 23% against more experienced baserunners. Allenson credits this to Wieters jumping out of his stance early. Lets be honest here for a minute. It doesn’t matter. It’s all about the big bat baby! General Manager Andy MacPhail understands that it is going to be tough right away for the young catcher. Wieters will instantly become the star at home against the Tigers on Friday. Originally it was thought that Wieters would be called up during the upcoming west coast trip. Despite that pressure, MacPhail believes his young top prospect will be up for the occasion:
“You’d like to downplay it, but the events are such that you don’t control what’s going to happen. There are a lot of worse things to deal with in sports. Wieters really has handled everything extraordinarily well for someone with limited experience, and I have no reason to think that won’t continue.”
MacPhail has had experience with a lot of youngsters throughout his time with the Orioles, Cubs and Twins. Aguably none of them has been as good as Wieters.
Scouting:
Everybody knows the power potential, and his ability to be a above average hitter, but Wieters is also very polished for his age, because he is very good at reading pitches and working the count into his favor. What makes Wieters so dangerous is that he is a switch hitter. He has all the Orioles lack: a solid power pressence, someone who can call a good game, quiet leadership and the ability to adjust. The Orioles management have made it clear that this guy responds to change fast; noting that he doesn’t adjust to major league quality pitching on a game basis, but within the next at bat. There is no doubt that he will be able to hold on as a catcher. He isn’t the fastest in the world, but he won’t be a super clogger on the basepaths. Wieters brings a pressence to the Orioles lineup that has been sorely missed for quite some time.
Advice:
If you have a free spot on your roster, or rather weak catching, Wieters is well worth any waiver wire pick. I wouldn’t mind wasting my number one pick at this point. There are not many players left that haven’t been called up already, who will have this impact. With the general rule being that you can always find pitching; use that waiver. The Orioles have made it clear that once Wieters was up, that more than likely he would battle through the season, despite any rookie struggles.
FanSided