Matt Wieter's Exploding Hype

Matt Wieters hype is just starting to get revved up, but how high can it get by April. I was listening to some local sports radio in Boston a few days ago and a caller requested that the Red Sox look into a catcher from Baltimore named Matt Wieters. Amazingly these "sports experts" had to look this kid up while I screamed expletives at my radio. They finally laughed the guy off the radio once they saw his minor league numbers and the fact that the Orioles, unlike the Rangers, don't have 3-4 catching prospects.

Scouting

The Scoop: After being taken fifth overall in the 2007 draft, Wieters and the Orioles agreed to a contract just seconds before the new signing deadline of Aug. 15. Wieters' first taste of pro ball came in Hawaii Winter Baseball, where he batted .283/.364/.415 and ranked as the league's top prospect. He was assigned to Frederick to begin 2008 and he has wreaked havoc on pitching since Opening Day when he hit two home runs. He already has three multi-home run games this season and has done most of his damage from the right side, pounding left handers to the tune of .417/.462/.938 in 48 at-bats with seven home runs. He also leads the league in base stealers caught, nailing 46 percent of those who try to swipe a bag on him.

This report is from Baseball America. There have been comparison's for his hitting to Mike Piazza as a closer, but the ability to throw out runners is huge too.

Minor League Stats

Matt spent 69 games in A+ and 61 in AA.
A+ .345/.451/.576
AA .365/.463/.625

He had 27 homers combined from both levels and a BB/K ratio of 1.31 at AA. For a comparison Albert Pujols had a 0.97 K/BB in the minors.

Playing Time

Update: Ramon Hernandez is being traded for Ryan Freel. The Orioles may sign a veteran presence to help adjust him, but this looks like a starting job for Wieter.
Until Ramon Hernandez is traded you have to be prepared for splitting time with Hernandez and he would probably get less time. If Hernandez is traded then he shoots into the top 15 catchers and becomes a great pick in the middle rounds of your draft. He is a pick in your league no matter what stats you count as he can supply across the board.

Conclusion

Bill James is calling for .311/.407./.526 in 133 games with 24 homers. I think this is his low with a starting job in 2009 and should be considered for 30 homers. I gave Rhett some flak for drafting him in the fantasypros911.com slow draft with a pick before round 14, but this is only because Hernandez is not traded yet. I understand his sentiment with expecting the trade. This might be a little early right now, but by March he will probably be going around this point in many drafts.

Questions or comments send to TroyPatterson@RotoSavants.com