Wieters on Wada

[Frobby]

"I think he's going to be a good pitcher," Wieters said. "He's going to be a mix-it-up guy. It was just a bullpen session, but he was throwing all four pitches on both sides of the plate, and that sort of lets you know that he has confidence in all his pitches and we're not just going to have to throw fastballs in certain counts. When a guy can break out all four pitches on both sides of the plate, that means he's pretty confident to throw whatever it is that you put down."

Wada throws his fastball on both sides, "and a changeup that looked really good," Wieters said.

"His slider is definitely going to be effective, and he's got a curveball that he can throw for strikes anytime he wants. He was throwing a good many of his off-speed pitches on both sides of the plate. It seems like he's ready to go and ready to pitch. He's not just going out there to get his arm ready. He's getting everything ready."

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_...g-reports.html

[oriolesacox]

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_...g-reports.html

Sounds good. Now if he would give us the Chen scouting report please!

[LookinUp]

Assuming he's healthy, I expect this guy to be our best "pitcher." By that, I mean the guy who can do exactly what Wieters said - throw any pitch, in any place, in any count. He won't have the stuff of the other guys, and I'm not sure how he'll hold up on 5 days rest, but I expect him to be a nice early-season surprise.

[NCRaven]

Assuming he's healthy, I expect this guy to be our best "pitcher." By that, I mean the guy who can do exactly what Wieters said - throw any pitch, in any place, in any count. He won't have the stuff of the other guys, and I'm not sure how he'll hold up on 5 days rest, but I expect him to be a nice early-season surprise.

In a perfect world, Wada will be a left handed version of Koji, without the conditioning issues. This would let him be more effective as a starter and not push him into the pen. With Johnson, Strop, Lindstrom, Ayala, Phillips, Patton, Eveland, Bergesen, Berken, and Simon (okay, and Gregg and some non-roster invites, as well) competing for spots in the pen, it would be good if Wada can legitimately claim a spot in the rotation.

[Camden_yardbird]

In a perfect world, Wada will be a left handed version of Koji, without the conditioning issues. This would let him be more effective as a starter and not push him into the pen. With Johnson, Strop, Lindstrom, Ayala, Phillips, Patton, Eveland, Bergesen, Berken, and Simon (okay, and Gregg and some non-roster invites, as well) competing for spots in the pen, it would be good if Wada can legitimately claim a spot in the rotation.

I agree. I would like to see Wada and Chen win rotation spots out of the pen. I just have one qualms with this post. I think Johnson and Lindstrom are in the pen. I doubt those two guys have to compete for a spot.

I also think if Wada doesn't make the rotation its because 5 other guys had phenomenal springs and he moves to the pen. The word I would like to see when look back at Wadas season is "steady"

[SammyBirdland]

"He's going to be a mix-it-up guy. It was just a bullpen session, but he was throwing all four pitches on both sides of the plate, and that sort of lets you know that he has confidence in all his pitches and we're not just going to have to throw fastballs in certain counts."

"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth." -- Mike Tyson

We need to see how he does under pressure. This is the AL East. What happens when A-Gon hits two homers off of him in one game? Does he stay loose or fall apart?

[Sanfran327]

http://www.masnsports.com/school_of_...g-reports.html

"I think he's going to be a good pitcher," Wieters said. "He's going to be a mix-it-up guy. It was just a bullpen session, but he was throwing all four pitches on both sides of the plate, and that sort of lets you know that he has confidence in all his pitches and we're not just going to have to throw fastballs in certain counts. When a guy can break out all four pitches on both sides of the plate, that means he's pretty confident to throw whatever it is that you put down."

Wada throws his fastball on both sides, "and a changeup that looked really good," Wieters said.

"His slider is definitely going to be effective, and he's got a curveball that he can throw for strikes anytime he wants. He was throwing a good many of his off-speed pitches on both sides of the plate. It seems like he's ready to go and ready to pitch. He's not just going out there to get his arm ready. He's getting everything ready."

One thing I'd like to see from MW this year is improved game calling. I wouldn't call it a weakness, but it will be up to him to have a pitcher pitch backwards if he thinks that will be one of his strengths. If he wants Wada to throw an inside slider on a 2-0 count, he needs to man up and call for it.

[Say O!]

One thing I'd like to see from MW this year is improved game calling. I wouldn't call it a weakness, but it will be up to him to have a pitcher pitch backwards if he thinks that will be one of his strengths. If he wants Wada to throw an inside slider on a 2-0 count, he needs to man up and call for it.

Good point.

BUT, I do think game calling is a strength of Wieters. In the games I've observed, Wieters definitely does two things that stand out compared to peers.

• Goes back-to-back with a pitch in same location. When used effectively, this can produce good results and strikeouts.
• Narrows pitch selection to what is working for the pitcher on a given night. For instance, he would switch Britton b/w 2 and 4 seam as predominant fastball type from outing to outing depending upon which was better on that given day.

I just don't think there has been enough pitchers with the stuff or command to chastise Wieters over game calling. When guys like Koji and Matusz were spotting their pitches, we've seen tremendous results. I'm excited to see if Wieters can coax the same out of Wada.

[hallmt18]

Switch-hitting Jesus walking on Wada...

[Eddie_Ripken]

"Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth." -- Mike Tyson

We need to see how he does under pressure. This is the AL East. What happens when A-Gon hits two homers off of him in one game? Does he stay loose or fall apart?

Pretty much exactly what I was thinking. Sure he can throw any pitch in any count...in Japan.....Evan Longoria, Robinson Cano, Pujlos, Prince....they don't play in Japan.

[NCRaven]

I agree. I would like to see Wada and Chen win rotation spots out of the pen. I just have one qualms with this post. I think Johnson and Lindstrom are in the pen. I doubt those two guys have to compete for a spot.

I have no doubt that you're right on those two. My only point was that there are at least 10 viable options for 7 spots in the bullpen, not including Wada.

My assumption has been that Chen, Hunter, and Hammel will start the season in the rotation with Wada, Britton, Arrieta, Matusz, Tillman, Galaraga, Bergesen and Eveland competing for the last two spots. Wada, Britton, Arrieta, Matusz and Tillman have options (as does Chen). Galaraga is on a AAA contract. Bergesen and Eveland would have to be passed through waivers to be sent down.

If Wada makes the rotation, that leaves one spot, probably for one of Britton, Arrieta, or Matusz. And, it reduces the field for the bullpen. In a perfect world, two of the three youngsters would push Wada into the pen where he might ultimately be most effective. That might cost us Phillips or Patton, but then they are both replaceable in the long run.

[Moose Milligan]

I'm now fully expecting "throwing to both sides of the plate" as term to be thrown around here when talking about pitchers. Similar to Frobby's favorite "the ball is really coming out of his hand well..."

Good to hear about Wada. Since all this losing mess has started, the Orioles have never had enough pitchers that can throw any pitch to anywhere in the zone in any count. We've had more than our fair share of nibblers and pitchers with bad command, I'm hoping that this starts to change.

If Wada can do this for us this year, it'll be a pleasant surprise.

[Frobby]

Pretty much exactly what I was thinking. Sure he can throw any pitch in any count...in Japan.....Evan Longoria, Robinson Cano, Pujlos, Prince....they don't play in Japan.

That is irrelevant. The point is that the batter can't sit on your fastball when you have the ability to throw any pitch for a strike in any count. And that is advantageous no matter who the hitter is. If anything, it is more important when facing a great hitter to not allow him to sit on a fastball.

[waroriole]

I love spring training, everyone is going to be great.

[Sanfran327]

Good point.

BUT, I do think game calling is a strength of Wieters. In the games I've observed, Wieters definitely does two things that stand out compared to peers.

• Goes back-to-back with a pitch in same location. When used effectively, this can produce good results and strikeouts.
• Narrows pitch selection to what is working for the pitcher on a given night. For instance, he would switch Britton b/w 2 and 4 seam as predominant fastball type from outing to outing depending upon which was better on that given day.

I just don't think there has been enough pitchers with the stuff or command to chastise Wieters over game calling. When guys like Koji and Matusz were spotting their pitches, we've seen tremendous results. I'm excited to see if Wieters can coax the same out of Wada.

I think my only real gripe about Wieters as an entire player is that he gets a little cute behind the plate in an 0-2 count. I know it's not him throwing the pitches, but he's still part of the battery that is trying to put away hitters.