Rebuilding the Orioles - Backstop to Build Around

In the June 2007 draft, the Orioles selected Matt Wieters with the 5th pick overall. This was shortly before Andy McPhail came on. Wieters came in as a very highly touted player, enough for the O's to draft him that high and take the chance that they could indeed sign him. The switch-hitting catcher had drawn rave reviews going into the draft, for his hitting -- .358 average and .477 on-base percentage in his career at Georgia Tech -- as well as his defensive ability and overall maturity. Many wondered if the O's would shy away from picking him, given his agent is Scott Boras, someone the O's have tended to stay away from.

"I think his defensive ability is going to allow him to move quickly," Orioles's scout Joe Jordan said of Wieters shortly after the draft, whose plus arm allowed him to also serve as closer at Georgia Tech. "We think the bat is just a bat that needs Minor League at-bats. He needs to swing the wooden bat for a while, but everything together, this guy should be on an accelerated pace."

Jordan and Mike Flanagan emphasized that Wieters' defense what attracted them most to the backstop, particularly the way he handled a pitching staff.

"It's not prototypical (his size - 6' 5"), but there are some and there have been some," he said. "This guy's done it for three years in college without any problems. ...He's not a vocal throwback type ... but this guy is a leader."

Source:
Wieters earned reputation as one of college's best pure hitters
By Spencer Fordin / MLB.com
June 7, 2007

First Promotion

Wieters did not stay long at his first stop, Class A ball with the Frederick Keys. Excelling over the first three months, he earned a promotion to AA Bowie.

"'We feel like he's gone a little over half the season now and he has made a tremendous stride with the bat and his catching," said Orioles director of player development David Stockstill. "Teams are no longer pitching to him and because he's not being pitched to, we feel like it's better for his development to move him up to a level with people who are going to challenge him.'

"During his time in Frederick, the Orioles' top 2007 Draft pick was the team-leader in batting average (.342), hits (77), home runs (14), RBIs (38) and walks (43). In 225 at-bats, Wieters also boasted a team-high .560 slugging percentage.

"Although the Orioles have been keeping Wieters on a conservative time line, unwilling to rush his development in the Minor Leagues, Wieters' promotion has been expected for some time. Earlier this month, Keys hitting coach J.J. Cannon said he didn't expect to see Wieters in a Keys uniform much past the June 23-25 All-Star break.

Amanda Comak is an associate reporter for MLB.com. June ??, 2008