Watching Matt Wieters in the second half

by the fix is in on Jul 16, 2009 10:57 PM EDT Comment 48 comments

Baseball is back today from the All-Star break. Oakland and Anaheim are just getting underway in the only AL matchup. Tomorrow the Orioles start their second half in Chciago, to begin a long road trip. The game starts at 8:11, but is probably still being sponsored by 7-11. Advertising has begun to take over our sense of time, in addition to space.

Anyway, tomorrow's game will be the team's 39th game After Wieters. It will be his 32nd game started this year. His line has not been that bad at all for a catcher: .259/.316/.407/.724 . But his progress has certainly been a little slower than we had hoped. We constantly see his average improving, and it's not an illusion. Until he hit his first home run on June 17, he had an OPS of an anemic .584 . When you start your career that slowly, it's not extremely difficult to have your batting average rise. But the fact is, in July (only 7 games) he's been looking much better, posting a .304 average to OPS .863 . In those seven games, he's also taken three walks which is a good sign.

After rarely striking out in the minor leagues, Wieters struck out 31 times in his first 25 games. It was the worst sight to see all year, because it almost made you worry. But his strikeout rate has been falling; from a high of 32%, it's fallen to only 21.4%. Another seven games like he's had, and his strikeouts will be down to the league average of 17%.

His power has also been taking some time. Of his 28 major league hits, only 9 have been for extra-bases. Homeruns account for 3 of those. As mentioned before, his walks are starting to slowly trickle up. I think that it's going to be a slow process, but the power will be worth it. He has to get the Ks down and bring the BBs up. The power will come shortly after.

So I dunno.... open discussion about Wieters? I really can't wait. Although I think next year will be his true break out, seeing him hit is probably number one on what I'm looking foward to in the second half. Even if the team does that pathetic 4-25 stuff, I'm going to have fun watching this new catcher.

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Anyone remember how Markakis started out his rookie year?

He was terible for the first half or so, then Terry Crowley asked him to drop the bat about six inches while in his stance. He started killing the ball after that. Sometimes it’s the small things that count the most. Wieters will be fine, and will adjust to major league pitching soon.

One thing I have a different view of with fix is that seeing Amber is what is number one on my list of things for the second half.

When you're born into the human race you're given a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you're given a front row seat. And some of us have notepads.-George Carlin

by Afghanistan Steve on Jul 17, 2009 4:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1 on the amber comment

and yea…i think wieters is going to get much more comfortable at the plate over the next few weeks. i hear yankee stadium is great for hitting hrs………

by twistedlogic on Jul 17, 2009 8:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lets hope Guts doesn't have a start in that stadium....

yikes.

by Johnny_S on Jul 17, 2009 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

rofl

i didnt even think about that. not sure that i want to tho………[shudders]

by twistedlogic on Jul 17, 2009 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn

Good point.

"There's only one cure for what's wrong with all of us pitchers, and that's to take a year off. Then, after you've gone a year without throwing, quit altogether." -Jim Palmer

by Baltimo on Jul 18, 2009 2:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd prefer

to not think about Wieters hitting in Yankee stadium, as I’m sure it’s what every Yankee fan wants to see in a few years.

Matt Wieters can get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop in under one lick.

by daveh873 on Jul 17, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

they'll probably give him a standing O, as a sign of "yes, we want you to be a Yankee, we will try to buy you away"

damn MFY

by Timmy L. on Jul 17, 2009 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ack

That’s the stuff of my nightmares… :(

by O Nina on Jul 17, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A MFY's fan friend of mine

went to an O’s spring training game and I told him to get me an autograph from Wieters, or to at least tell Matt that he’s my hero. He said something to the effect of “yea I should check him out. He’ll be our starting catcher in 3 years”. I wanted to punch him straight in the face.

Matt Wieters can get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop in under one lick.

by daveh873 on Jul 17, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh i hope not

i guess anything is possible for the right price but i guess its good that even the yankees have realized hes a higher power?

by twistedlogic on Jul 17, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and i guess i could say "i guess"

a few more times in that sentence

by twistedlogic on Jul 17, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s possible if Wieters sucks the next three years and gets released. Otherwsie, it’ll never happen. Maybe it’ll happen five years now though. But not three. The O’s will pay him arbitration money assuming he’s worth it.

I also go by Voltaire.

by birdman on Jul 17, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm looking formard to seeing Rick Dempsey............

"You don't EVEN KNOW who Nick Markakis is"- .....My 4 year old daughter to another kid.

"I'm a Country Boy"- ......Alan Jackson

by O's21girl on Jul 17, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wieters' power

The scary thing is that all three HR have been opposite field (IIRC). He’s pulled some foul balls that were absolute rocketships. When he finally straightens out that home run swing, watch out!

"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson

by Brotz13 on Jul 17, 2009 10:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yea hes tryin to hit the warehouse

by twistedlogic on Jul 17, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He'll be hitting

Power Plant this time next year.

When you're born into the human race you're given a ticket to the freak show. When you're born in America, you're given a front row seat. And some of us have notepads.-George Carlin

by Afghanistan Steve on Jul 17, 2009 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

id love to see somebody hit a ball over the warehouse

how far would that have to go?

by twistedlogic on Jul 17, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd say it's not so much how far...

But more a question of height. Either way, we’re talking over 500 ft. One of the many reasons that Ken Griffey, Jr. Baseball for SNES is my favorite game is the fact that Home Run Derby is always in Camden Yards. I’ve hit the warehouse a few times…

"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson

by Brotz13 on Jul 17, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i dont think its actually possible

the bat speed you’d need to hit that shot is likely impossible (unless you are matt wieters)

by twistedlogic on Jul 17, 2009 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I heard Matt Wieters is wanted in all 50 states

for breaking the laws of physics

Matt Wieters can get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop in under one lick.

by daveh873 on Jul 17, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

He’s wanted in all 67 states. He also breaks the laws of geography and civics.

"The United States is the New York Yankees of countries...powerful and respected until the year 2000." - Homer J. Simpson

by Brotz13 on Jul 17, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

breaking laws of civics

heh. That’s my favorite.

I will lead these Peoples to the promised land, also known as "Slightly Ahead of the Blue Jays." ~WietersRunDry

by Stacey on Jul 17, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Over the warehouse???

For a ball to get up that high and that far we’d be talking 600-700 feet minimum.

by O'sFan21 on Jul 20, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

how tall is the warehouse?

by twistedlogic on Jul 20, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure, but I think you have to hit it close to 500 to even hit the base of it.

by O'sFan21 on Jul 20, 2009 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no doubt

that shot would probably have to be over 800 ft even if the warehouse was after the peak of flight path. a shot that peaks over the warehouse would be even further

by twistedlogic on Jul 20, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Wieters will continue to gradually improve his stats

and have one crazy week where he has 10 rbi, 3 or 4 homers. It’d be awesome for him, the team, and us fans if he did do something like that. Yes, his opposite field power is scary, when he starts jumping on ML fastballs, that will be a sight to behold (rubbing my hands together, licking my lips, and having a creepy face with a little sneer), although we are not supposed to look directly at Matt Wieters, for we will go blind.

by Timmy L. on Jul 17, 2009 4:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

O, and the sooner, the better

for that kind of week :-)

by Timmy L. on Jul 17, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

.....

Anyone else think that, well, Wieters will be a bust?

by No More Steroids Please on Jul 21, 2009 4:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

no

i believe in a higher power

by twistedlogic on Jul 21, 2009 6:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

nope

but you are now on record and we can all laugh at you when he has his first ~~.400~~ .500 season.

Matt Wieters can get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop in under one lick.

by daveh873 on Jul 21, 2009 8:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just saying...

I think O’s fan need to calm down, I mean come on he’s been dubbed “Switch-hitting Jesus,” “Mauer with Power,” ETC. If Matt Wieters can just be Joe Mauer I will be happy.

by No More Steroids Please on Jul 21, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even if Wieters is a bust, I think he’ll just be an average catcher. That’s his floor. While that’ll be a disappointment, an average catcher at league minimum is a good thing to have.

Huff has gone back to being Huff. Deal with it.

by birdman on Jul 21, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the struggles continue for this season and even longer

We might have to lower the expectations of a mutant Joe Mauer/Mike Piazza Hall of Fame fusion to the original projections of a Jason Varitek type of player.

by UMterp08 on Jul 21, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hell its not like we had anyone better anyways

yea, ramon hernandez didnt even qualify as average…..his defense probably doesnt even deserve a “poor” rating…more like abysmal

by twistedlogic on Jul 21, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He already is a league average player

he’ll get better. O’s fans needed to calm down the expectations, but lets calm them back up a bit people.

Matt Wieters can get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop in under one lick.

by daveh873 on Jul 21, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He already is a league average player

Not basewise. He’s hitting .680 OPS wise. I ranked all catchers by OPS with at least 100 plate appearances in fangraphs. Matt is 38th among 48 catchers. He’s decidedly below average right now. ZAUN is better right now. He’ll need to bump his OPS by about 35 points to be in the average range.

Huff has gone back to being Huff. Deal with it.

by birdman on Jul 21, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs