With some help, Wieters is making strides on defense
It was the first inning of a game on August 14th at Camden Yards. The LA Angels were in town and one of the game's best base stealers, Chone Figgins, was on first base.
He broke for second with the pitch. Catcher Matt Wieters jumped quickly out of his crouch and fired a strike to second to gun down Figgins.
In the dugout at the time was O's minor league catching instructor Don Werner, someone who has spent a lot of time with Wieters the past two seasons.
He glanced at his stopwatch, which showed Wieters got the ball to second base in a remarkable 1.68 seconds.
"That's the fastest time I've ever gotten," Werner said.
"I've never gotten a time like that. I think back when Pudge Rodriguez was playing, I timed him in the 1.7's. I've never had anyone in the 1.6's. Really, 1.8 is something where you raise your eyebrow, it's that awesome. I thought with 1.68 maybe the battery in my watch was bad. I asked (bench coach) Dave Jauss what he got and he had the same. He amazed us with that one."
While that time is considered remarkable and is hard, some say almost impossible, to duplicate, the point is that Wieters can become a force throwing runners out. He's at 26 percent on the year and at one point, nailed 11 of 27 runners for 41 percent.
Detroit's Gerald Laird leads the AL, throwing out 43 percent with Toronto's Rod Barajas next at 34 percent. Wieters could quickly move toward the top of the league.
Werner, who played seven seasons in the Majors, five with Cincinnati, is in his 7th year in the O's organization. Since the day Wieters signed with the Birds, he has been Werner's prize pupil.
"You think about it, just a little over a year ago, I was watching him play in Frederick," Werner said. "Now he's in the big leagues. It's a tribute to him.
"He's starting to show what I saw last year in the minors now in terms of throwing guys out. He was getting to a point where his footwork was offline to second base. If your footwork is offline, your throws will be offline.
"It's amazing sometimes how you just tell him one thing and he's doing it ten minutes later and taking it into the game. A lot of guys can get it right in practice but once the game starts, the old habits come right back in. With him, he has straightened out his footwork."
Wieters appreciates the help from Werner.
"Donnie does a great job of getting you the work you need while at the same time keeping you fresh. Any time you need help with something he's got a drill for you. It starts in spring training, he does a great job of getting you ready for the year."
For Werner, this pupil provides a lot to work with. Werner says Wieters' arm strength is right there with any catcher in the Majors.
"He's right there at the top. He combines quickness and arm strength, he has both. He gets rid of it quick and has a strong arm.
"He takes the game personally. If one of our pitchers doesn't do well, he's thinking what could I have done to help him.
"Sometimes when you have a catcher that is a good hitter, they'll call fastballs all day to try and throw runners out. Matt will mix it up. He's not someone that will only call fastballs in a running situation. He takes his defense first."
Now for that amazing 1.68 time when Wieters threw out Figgins. Don't expect to see that again much, but it does provide the catcher something to shoot for.
"Any time you can make a throw like that you want to keep working because if you can keep getting times even close to that it will go a long way to helping your pitchers out," Wieters said.
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Categories (click for archive)Orioles News | Steve Melewski |
I've enjoyed watching his defense and ability to throw runners out improve since he has been called up, I just hope his offense can improve. I'm starting to worry about him offensively.
I have been worried about his offense for a while. Other teams' fans have mentioned it to me. Where is all this power, this catcher is suppose to have? If not power, how about his average? We heard so much about this catcher, Wieters. Even some of the sports shows have brought it up. Is this a #1 draft pick that couldnt make it in the bigs? Not the first time that something like that would happen. They say, his swing is a mess. And not one that would create alot of hits, let alone, power. Maybe it is to early? Dont know.........
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I think the club is pleased with his offense. I'd love to know what sportscaster local or national, says Wieters won't make it in the Majors. Please get a name since that person hasn't a clue about baseball.
He'll be fine, .264 is respectable for the load he carries at catcher. The power he has shown to the off field on the homers will soon translate to homers when he turns on the ball. His swing is sweet. I sure don't share your concerns about his offense. - Steve
Any word on his batting? He appears to be overmatched at times.
Steve - I tend to agree with Holgash. Nice he is improving with his defense, but I hope it isn't to the detriment of him hitting the cage and batting practice sessions. His swing is way too long and many holes.
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I just don't see these so called holes in his swing. I think the expectations got so out of whack for this guy that he is not treated like any other rookie. Which he should be. I am just not concerned at all about his offense, I see a very sweet, solid swing when I watch him. I see easy power to the off field, which believe me will translate into pull power in time as well.
This guy has a great future and the fans are way too worried about his offense. Just my humble opinion. - Steve
Concerned about his offense, really? He's a rookie, and he spent a very short time in the minors. He's only 23 and likely a few years away from peaking offensively.
Perhaps this will spell your concerns. In his first 228 major league ABs, this player had 8 2B, 2 HR, 21 RBI and 20 BB. He hit .268 with a .335 OBP and a .683 OPS. Everyone, meet Nick Markakis.
Wieters in 258 ABs has 10 2B, 5 HR, 26 RBI and 17 BB. He is hitting .263 with a .310 OBP and .678 OPS.
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Good comparison William. - Steve
You have to admit he's looked overmatched righthanded. Lefthanded he hits rockets consistantly.
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I don't see it as over matched. He's hit .214 vs. lefties. Not a big enough sample to get concerned about. - Steve
Steve:
You watch things very closely, so tell me the last time you seen him "frame a pitch"? I'm still waiting. Also, he drives me crazy with these young pitchers who are trying to throw to spots but the "spot" is always closed. He needs to OPEN HIS MITT and be very direct with his target. He mostly has his glove closed and has a habit of moving it at the last minute prior to the pitcher throwing. With the black glove and moving is a tough target to hit, or concentrate on.
I still feel is a "sucker for a quick pitch" and the pitchers have picked that up. He has to much movement with his hands while awaiting a pitch. Hopefully, the "Crow" will calm him down and he'll hit better.
He's done fine for his first year.
JO
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JO, I think your points are more valid about his defense. The bat movement is just part of his timing mechanism at the plate, like Youkilis has a very pronounced one. Many hitters have that.
I've notice the closed glove, but never heard any complaints about it. He also has some movement with his body right before pitches are thrown. But sometimes that's to throw the hitter off and not move to the outside corner until the last second. When the club returns home, I'll ask around to see what some think of your observations. - Steve
I thought he looked like he was hitting off his front foot to much when he first came up, but the last 10-20 games or so he's looked much better. Staying back on the ball, driving it. Even the outs are much louder. His opposite field power is very good, when he starts pulling the ball more, watchout. He's going to be fine offensively.
I've also noticed Weiters improvement at both defense and offense. I can see that he really is working hard as the catcher and as a batter as he is working hard on just making contact, and not so much homers. I can also see what the other posters here have noticed and that is his slow swing on the fastballs. It's like his arms or the bat or both are just too heavy for him to swing fast enough. It must be the bat b/c he does have a quick arm when throwing stealers out at second. He just has to get used to the pitching in the majors, especially the fastball speeds.
Just my two cents. I'm looking forward to seeing him bat even better than Nick Markakis in the near future. Perhaps he will join Roberts in the off season or something.