Matt Wieters Getting Called Up Friday

[Leftwich]

The Matt Wieters era in Baltimore will begin Friday at Camden Yards.

Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail announced during Tuesday's game telecast on MASN that the switch-hitting catcher and the organization's top prospect will make his debut Friday against the Detroit Tigers.

"He's ready," MacPhail told MASN. "It's time."

Wieters, 23, entered Tuesday night's game hitting .285 with five home runs and 26 RBIs with Triple-A Norfolk.

The fifth overall pick in the 2007 draft was Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year last season after hitting .355 with 27 home runs and 91 RBIs in 130 games split between Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie.

"He's going to have to make certain adjustments here at the major league level and it's about time he got here," MacPhail said.

I am beyond excited right now. He's not going to save our season but this guy is going to be the best Catcher in baseball in a couple years.

 

[OKCL]

Meh, I don't think he's that great.

 

[Justo]

:jizz:

 

[Leftwich]

Meh, I don't think he's that great.

I wish there was a groan button.

 

[FedEx227]

NICE! I can't wait to see how he does.

 

[Justo]

Got a feeling he's going to struggle because of his size (read he was far below average the size of a catcher) but only on defense. We'll see.

6 Foot 5 Inches is short for a catcher?

 

[Leftwich]

Got a feeling he's going to struggle because of his size (read he was far below average the size of a catcher) but only on defense. We'll see.

I know it was Spring Training and all but he was playing at a whole other level than everyone else. His first couple of weeks are going to be dismal but he'll be in good form after that.

 

[Slateman]

LOL @ the sig.

Can't even imagine another big bat in the O's lineup right now, just about everyone in their lineup is tearing the cover off the ball.

Grienke > O's line up

Sorry, but Weiters isn't gonna make a difference.

Joe Mauer would beg to differ.

Agreed.

Honestly, I think Weiters is going to end up having to move to 1st base. He's too big to last as a catcher. And, frankly, he's good defensively, but nothing special. Finally, there's the money issue. He'll put up good, but nothing spectacular, type numbers for a first baseman. Be cheaper for the Os to keep him at first.

 

[Leftwich]

I'm kinda happy you guys are doubting him.

 

[Bmore]

I hope he knocks a solo shot in his first at bat.

 

[Slateman]

Greinke (E before I) is > any lineup currently.

And go look up Greg Zaun and Chad Moeller's numbers right now and tell me that Weiter's can't do better than that lol.

I hope he knocks a solo shot in his first at bat.

lol, already he's expected to be the savior of the Orioles.

He'll move to first base (or third). He'll be a good hitter, eventually.

 

[BazookaJoe5]

Agreed.

Honestly, I think Weiters is going to end up having to move to 1st base. He's too big to last as a catcher. And, frankly, he's good defensively, but nothing special. Finally, there's the money issue. He'll put up good, but nothing spectacular, type numbers for a first baseman. Be cheaper for the Os to keep him at first.

Because Joe Mauer isn't 6'5'' too, amirite?

Oh wait...

 

[Slateman]

Because Joe Mauer isn't 6'5'' too, amirite?

Oh wait...

Which is why the Twins are trying like hell to stick him somewhere else. 6'5" catchers aren't going to last long behind the plate . . .

 

[chazmaniandevil]

i say its too hard to compare him and mauer, he isnt joe mauer, and joe mauer isnt him, not by a long shot

while joe mauer hits .315, weiters will hit around .290
while joe mauer hits 20 homers, weiters will hit 35
while mauer will lead his team defensively, weiters will struggle

when its all said and done both of these guys, along with maybe buster posey and russell martin, will be define the catcher of our decade

 

[Leftwich]

i say its too hard to compare him and mauer, he isnt joe mauer, and joe mauer isnt him, not by a long shot

while joe mauer hits .315, weiters will hit around .290
while joe mauer hits 20 homers, weiters will hit 35
while mauer will lead his team defensively, weiters will struggle

when its all said and done both of these guys, along with maybe buster posey and russell martin, will be define the catcher of our decade

I agree with everything you say except i think he'll be an ok defensive player and will probably bat closer to .305.

 

[-Ray27Rice-]

Wieters called a great game tonight, but he did struggle at the plate. That is to be expected, give him some time and he will be great.

 

[-Ray27Rice-]

Yeah, it has to be hard trying to match a performance with the person batting ahead of you. It's crazy how one person can make a stadium go from 10,000 fans yesterday, to 43,000 the next day. I am getting excited about this team, with the nice young lineup we have, bringing Reimold up who has already hit 5 homeruns in just 15 games of being in the ML and Mora has only hit 2 the whole season. Wieters will improve from tonight's performance, Scott with back to back multiple HR games, and Adam Jones, who was one of Seattle's top prospects who came over in the Bedard trade. Our pitching has improved also, and we also have a few nice minor league pitchers still to come up in Tillman, Arrieta, and Matusz. Five game win streak, hopefully we can keep it up.

 

[NAHSTE]

Got a feeling he's going to struggle because of his size (read he was far below average the size of a catcher) but only on defense. We'll see.

He's actually considered huge for a catcher.

He's not going to be better than Joe Mauer, IMO, but he's definitely looking like a stud.

With Martin, McCann, Mauer and now Weiters, the catcher position is pretty loaded with young talent. Then there's also Napoli, Iannetta and possibly Saltalamacchia.

 

[Leftwich]

He's actually considered huge for a catcher.

He's not going to be better than Joe Mauer, IMO, but he's definitely looking like a stud.

With Martin, McCann, Mauer and now Weiters, the catcher position is pretty loaded with young talent. Then there's also Napoli, Iannetta and possibly Saltalamacchia.

He is an average catcher who gets a lot of press coverage because of his name.

 

[Obst]

Salty was actually a very highly rated prospect.