Something to consider regarding Wieters
Before I head out to look at more houses in the Eldersburg area that are for sale, but either a little out of my price range or in desperate need of a bulldozer, I'd like to relay a comment submitted by reader BMS regarding our favorite minor league catcher.
Once he's done talking about Robby Hammock, he also mentions Matt Wieters.
OK, seriously, here it is:
"From what I've seen down here in Norfolk, Wieters is not getting good pitches to hit and when he does he is driving the ball. Pitchers are really nibbling with Matt, trying essentially to pitch around him. He's got a pretty good eye and will certainly take walks but it must be a bit frustrating for him. From the looks of it though he's handling it very well and not at all pressing at the plate, he's got a sweet swing from both sides of the plate. Tides are back in town for 4 games next week, I'm sure to attend a few of them."
I pass this along because I'm reminded of an observation that Dave Stockstill, director of player development, made last season after I asked him about Wieters. Actually, he made it twice. He wasn't repeating himself in one interview. The circumstances surrounding Wieters just happened to be repeating themselves.
Wieters was having trouble getting pitches to hit at Single-A Frederick. He moved up to Double-A Bowie and was having trouble getting pitches to hit. He was challenged to exhibit patience at the plate and not chase balls out of the strike zone. And both times, he adjusted.
I haven't seen Wieters in Norfolk, and it's not like he's raking from the middle of the lineup, but the pattern could be continuing against International League competition. The pitchers there have heard of him. They're familiar with the hype. They know how good he is, even if they've never faced him. And they know he's only played one full season of professional ball.
He'll adjust. His average will climb, he'll start hitting for power, he'll start driving in runs and pitchers will try to work around him again. But he also has Oscar Salazar and Nolan Reimold hitting behind him, so they might pay for it.
Anyway, it's food for thought.
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Categories (click for archive)Roch Kubatko | Roch Kubatko Orioles |
Roch....I have a 4 bedroom house for sale...3 car garage...brand new pool on 1 1/3 acre. Perfect condition just north of 26/27. I'll make you a deal!
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Hmmm, sounds like we're back to "out of my price range." - Roch
Uh oh. That sounds like a few extra months down in AAA. See you in September Matt when we are 30 games out of first place. What's the plan now Andrew?
That could explain why Reimold is hitting .415. Is Weiters walking a lot?
I've got some famous property for sale, used in the filming on a critically acclaimed HBO original series!
http://www.citypaper.com/sb/149766/311.jpg
O! A shout out.
He is definitely seeing a lot of pitches per at bat. He's no Ty Wigginton.
Brummie = Dummie
Sounds like its good for them to be taking their time w/ Weiters and that they won't be delivering an unprepared young man. I bet he starts lighting it up in May and is probably up by June if he follows his normal pattern at the other leagues. Hey Roch, if the pitchers are going at him carefully does that mean he is walking a fair amount? Good luck on the house hunt, Eldersburg is a pretty nice area to live (where I'm from originally)
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Thanks. It was a productive day. Wieters: Nine walks in 50 at-bats. - Roch
It makes me feel a lot better. Unfortunately, I worry that the same will again happen when he hits Baltimore. Its not like we are going to plug him into the 4 hole and have Aubrey hitting behind him. He's going to be hitting 7th, in front of Pie and Cesar; and he is going to be pitched around.
Its fine, though. Put an extra guy on. Hell, I don't care if the guy goes 0-for-2 with two walks every single game.
Our Norfolk lineup looks pretty good with Weiters hitting .260 still.
Whitney Houston said "Children are our future" that was Pre-Bobby Brown, had she of known children weren't her future.....
Brummie...or Jack...I see you confused your urinal with your bowl of Wheaties this morning...AGAIN!
Saturday, I will be attending the Scranton/Wilkes Barre Yankees against the tides.... yes I live in scranton. I'll give a report on what I see.... Im kind of acting like a kid the past few days, I keep telling my girlfriend I hope to get into see him( we have some friends who work at the stadium). I'll let you know what I see.
Roch, check out the Duplexes behind Carrolltowne Elementary, most of them are very nice and not expensive. Not sure if any are for sale right now but I could try to talk my neighbors out if you're interested.
and here's a question. the O's have said in the past that they feel like AA & AAA are almost interchangeable and that they have no problem bringing people up from AA to Baltimore and that sort of stuff. So why don't the O's put Patton, Arrieta & Erbe at Norfolk with Tillman & Hernandez so they can all work together and work with Weiters? I guess they are trying to balance the "rushing prospects" vs "valuable experience" equation but that would be hard for me not to do.
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Arrieta and Erbe hadn't pitched above Single-A until this season. And they wanted a "veteran" or two on Norfolk staff so they wouldn't have to rush a young arm in April if there was an injury. - Roch
Roch,
Thanks for the update. I've been following Norfolk's games online and was wondering what was going on with Wieters, but that makes me feel better.
In response to Brummie, the plan is the same as it has always been. It's never been about this year. As a fan I am willing to watch the team take its lumps this year in hopes of future success. Pitching in the minors has been excellent and some of our hitters are even showing excellent progress. With Wieters hitting .260, the front office has a reason other than money to keep him down for a little longer and really have him force his way up.
Meanwhile in the majors, while the pitching has been frustrating at some points to say the least, we have had the opportunity to watch Adam Jones continue his growth. Nick and Brian continue to be elite MLB players and overall the offense has performed well. Koji's been a pleasant surprise. The defense is improved with Cesar and Zaun, and we get to watch Bergeson pitch every 5th day.
So, while this year is probably going to be frustrating, the PLAN was never about this year. For all of the projections coming into the season, the team has been competitive and there are bright spots on the roster. Enjoy those and if there's a really rough game check minor league box scores :)
I'm glad to see that Jack has followers as ridiculous and short-sighted as he is. If we bring Wieters, Tillman, Reimold, Matusz, Hernandez, Arietta, and Patton all up tomorrow, we will still finish no better than 4th in the AL East this year. I'm anxious to win some more games, and watching them lose 3 to Texas followed by 2 to Anaheim crushed me, but the plan has always been 2010. Unless my calendar is broken, we're not there yet. Let these guys have fun and dominate in the minors. Whether we finish with 79 wins or 62, we aren't headed for meaningful games in September.
That said, Weiters not seeing pitches could go a long way to explaining the remarkably high averages for Montanez, Reimold, and Salazar. If you pitch around one, the others are bound to see some beach balls. My guess, like yours, is that pitchers will eventually see two .400 hitters after Weiters and they will try to go after him.
Oh, and I can sell you a townhouse in Montgomery County. Probably in your price range, but not a fun commute to the Yard everyday.
When Matt Weiters makes his debut in the Major Leagues, pitchers will go right after him. And that, for Oriole fans, will be fun to watch.
Matt Wieters doesn't take pitches... He shows them mercy. hahaha
Roch,
Check out Auctions, there are many these days. You could get a hell of a deal.
Also, try a bit more west of Eldersburg, towards Mt Airy, the prices go down a bit. Don't fret a few more miles, one corn field looks like the other...
Roch,
Who was the 2nd baseman in the Orioles system that had something like 50 errors playing 2B last year? I don't think it was Turner.
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Ryan Adams at Delmarva. Turner was in Reds's system. - Roch
JAB- if that is your line- awesome!
Here's a twist on the Pie question: let's say waivers were not an issue- would MacPhail and company persist in keeping him at this level where he appears overmatched?
I ask that because we are one of a handful of teams who can keep a warm body on a roster without it greatly affecting our overall outcome. The question I guess is, do the Nats want Pie? Do we care so much if he is claimed?
Hard to say. I do think Reimold should certainly continue to rake down in AAA until an everyday spot opens up. Huff or Scott could get dealt after all. I hope Weiters stays with the Tides until June 2. Would rather not miss him mash the Clippers.
Roch,
Brian’s suggestion of considering auctions is a good one; however, there are a few things you need to consider when going that route:
• MAKE SURE you know whether you’re bidding on the property or a “second mortgage position”. It’s the difference between owning the home and having someone owe you money on a property you don’t control.
• Spend the time verifying that there are no liens or attachments filed against the property. This is the reason that title insurance is sold, and that might not be available in an auction situation.
• If you REALLY want the property, pay for an inspection by an objective and deliberate professional. It can save you tens of thousands of dollars worth of a mistake.
• Verify that you have financing in place before you bid or you can lose your deposit, or worse. It’s a good idea to limit yourself to about 95% of what you have been approved for so that you have the money to do any necessary improvements after you buy.
If you do your home work and learn the process you can buy a quality home for about 70 to 75 cents on the dollar.
Roch,
I know an excellent real estate agent if you need one.
I'm thinking with the bottom of the Orioles batting order so light in the hitting department, we may be seeing Matt and Reimold sooner rather than later!
Roch,
Wieters will come aroung but he is striking out a lot I hate to see that
Be assured Beau Brummie that the plan is intact, unchanged and still working just fine.
Blaine, don't engage Brummie. He gets what you are saying (he can't be THAT stupid), he just wants to pull multiple chains at once.
As for Wieters I, for one, can wait. I do get the plan.
How about FL Roch? you would miss it back home..like I do...good stuff on Wieters...mostly true I am sure...he will come around just like Wiggy and Zaun on the O's....
I have trouble any team is pitching around Weiters to get to Reimold?
I dont know if BMS's observations are correct. The one time I saw him, he struck out twice and walked once. The two strikeouts, one was looking at a 2-2 curveball and the other was swinging at a 88 mph fastball.
My guess is, he is having a slump to start the season and everyone is focusing on it because it is "Weiters." The kid can stroke the ball. Just give it some time and bring him up shortly. If you throw him in the bottom 3rd of the lineup to take pressure off him, it will actually hurt him because he wont get much to hit at. Sandwhich him between Mora and Scott/Wiggy and watch what happens.
Like I have said, great hitter, just not too friendly with the kids. But I guess that comes from hearing "Mr. Weiters" a million times down Bowie last year.
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Not saying he's necessarily being pitched around to get to Reimold. He SHOULD be getting better pitches to hit with guys like Salazar and Reimold raking behind him, but at the same time, more experienced pitchers might be trying to get him to chase. Wieters is still learning a few things, despite being so advanced. - Roch
Jack, you know I agree with alot of what you say.,..... I must ask why you want to dump Bass ??..... He is just starting to come around now, his last 3 or 4 outings have been good.....I must see more before I send him out.........What am I missing , Jack ??
Matt Wieters doesn't wear a watch. He decides what time it is.
Matt Wieters can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.
Matt Wieters only gets out because he feels sorry for his opponents.
Matt Wieters once won a staring contest with a statue.
If Matt Wieters decides a pitch is a strike, it is and there is nothing the umpire can do about it.
Brummie,
I think your somewhat confused about the plan. This year DOES NOT matter in terms of record. We all came into this season understand this one fact: the Orioles are now FINALLY getting on with the rebuilding. It started because the teams we constantly put on the field for 10 years were outmatched and outgunned. We ended up trading away valuable farm hands and signed people over the hump in a feeble attempt to win as many games as possible, but somehow we never got above the 81 win mark, in fact we will probably win as many games this year maybe a couple less (a couple meaning 3-5) than we did when we were trying to compete before, and this is a team thats committed to not competing just yet but to build and develop. Tampa had to take their lumps when they were waiting for the likes of dioner navorro, crawford, baldelli (when he was there), upton, longoria, all of them to mature into professional major league players. It doesn't happen over night, and it means that there will be more loosing seasons because of it. But, the end result is very desirable if done right. Your method of fix it now would cause the Orioles to miss the correct beat in terms of rebuilding. Let the young guys be young and develop in atmospheres where they won't need to be so perfect. They will learn how to pitch and not throw (except Liz) and become better for it. Relax, I understand your frustration, loosing for so long IS very frustrating, but after this year ends and next year begins, you should expect a much better product on the field. Then, in two years we will be very scary.
In terms of Bergesen: Roch, is he still slated to be in the rotation? I've been reading rumors they were thinking of him or Chris Waters. I always thought they brought him up to start and gain experiance here, not just as a stop gap. Is any of this true? Good luck on the house hunt.
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Trembley said Bergesen would get a long look, that he wasn't auditioning, so I don't know where that rumor came from. And Waters isn't hanging up zeros at Norfolk. - Roch
Barry, I agree once Matt gets up here MLB pitchers won't be pitching around him. I don't think he'll be hitting 7th either. Since he's a switch hitter, he's perfect for th e5th spot in our lineup. We can drop Wiggs to 7th when he plays and I can only think at this point Pie is keeping Reimold's seat warm.
You got to crawl before you can walk. There is a brighter day coming and its going to be great. For now, lets just get behind our team, and root for them day in and day out no matter how bad things seem.
What's the deal with Oscar Salazar? If the Orioles aren't in contention by late June/early July, do you see the O's trading away Huff and then calling up Salazar. Salazar looks like he could be a good hitter at the major league level, and I think he is kind of in the same boat as Montanez....meaning we know they can hit at the AAA level and the best thing to do is to just give them a shot at the major league level. But this can't happen unless Huff (or maybe even Luke Scott) is traded or goes on the DL.
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I don't think the Orioles view him as an everyday player, but Trembley likes him on the bench. For now, there's no room, but that could change by late July. - Roch
I'm also currently looking at houses and am in the exact same boat - very frustrating. Oh, if I only had an extra $10,000 lying around...
Roch,
Any word from Dave Trembley about more playing time for Chad Moeller. Chad's been hitting really well and isn't embarassing himself behind the plate, either. To me, he's earned it.
There's a lot of speculation these days about the fate of Ryan Freel once he gets off of the DL, and I'm thinking Andy MacPhail is probably spending a lot of time on the phone to see if he can find a team with a need.
Freel's value is as a multi-positional utility player, but he doesn't seem to have a role with Felix Pie in left, Ty Wigginton at the infield corners and second base, and Robert Andino at shortstop, second and possibly third. Left did seem to be where Freel would see most of his playing time, but now his return will have the effect of blocking Lou Montanez and Nolan Reimold in left, so it just doesn't seem Ryan has a place on the Orioles' roster. Your take?
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I totally agree about Freel. He's blocked at every position. And he wasn't acquired to be an everyday player, but he's unhappy about sitting. I don't see a match here. As for Moeller, he'll continue to get a couple starts a week, as originally planned. Zaun isn't hitting, but he's doing other things that Trembley likes. And at some point, that average has to climb above .200.......right? - Roch
I,m glad Weiters is of to a slow start so they don't rush him! I believe Zaun gives us a better chance to win or atleast straighten out our so called pitching. I think when he does get up he shouldnt be the starter and learn from Zaun. I guess i just don't want him to be a hitter i would like to see him as a compltet player.
ps Thanks for all you great reporting read you stuff ever day its a cup of coffie and Roch to start my day. Thanks
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Thanks, James. I also come in decaf. - Roch
Roch,
I was speaking to a guy (somewhat of a know it all) that was trying to deflate Weters a bit. He said the kid can throw but otherwise is pretty bad behind the plate, especially blocking pitches. Have you heard anything of the sort?
Also, check the neighborhhod off of Locust Lane right ioff of 26- its the closest development near the reservoir down near the Food Lion/ Dairy Queen. A bunch of split level 3BR houses built in the 70s. 1/4 to 1/2 acre lots- not sure what your range is, but its not too steep, especially compared to the macmansions out in some areas. It's a nice neighborhood
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I haven't talked to a single person who says Wieters is bad behind the plate. Thanks for housing info. Need to stay in Century school district, however. That limits my options. - Roch
JPA,
Not my line... but it is still great... there are a bunch like it all on this web site: http://www.mattwietersfacts.com/ ... very funny stuff
Decaf? How about De-jacked?
Roch, wait until she graduates , then buy. You can have more flexibility then.
I can attest to this as well from watching him in Frederick. Regardless of how he was/is doing, it was time to promote bc its pointless to have other teams walk him all the time.
Why hasn't the Norfolk manager gone to having Wieters bat between Salazar and Reimold, he'd likely get more pitches to hit in that situation
wait roch! are you saying you don't live in the warehouse!??!
Thanks for the info on Weiters defense. I kind of had the feeling the guy was blowing smoke.
come on over to the Liberty side, our Lax girls took Century out again last nite!
'The plan" is a convienent excuse for being lazy. How many teams just tanks games/seasons because they won't compete until 2 years down the road. This is what I Brummie and Jack are talking about. Not every player needs to stay in the minors until they rot and we're wasting developmental time on Eaton,Hendrckson etc.Sooner or later these guys have to play in the majors and adjust anyway.
Of course they're not giving Weiters anything to hit now,just like Jones last year an Pie now also.They don't throw Huff or Scott meatballs to hit either, It's the hitters job to make the pitcher come to them.Jones has made a lot of strides since last year and he's seeing better pitches.
Pie meanwhile is just a waste of skin and breathing space because he doesn't have the right kind of swing to adjust.You can't uppercut curves and sliders.