Wieters Offense: Code Red?

[Pedro Cerrano]

We get it! You think Matt is the worst hitter in the bigs.

Yes this is exactly what I think.

[Pedro Cerrano]

Not trying to defend his larger body of work, but Morrow made Reynolds look silly too. Hard to use whiffing against him as representative of anything.

Yea just thought it was an apropos post considering it happened while I was scanning this thread.

[Remember The Alomar]

Yea just thought it was an apropos post considering it happened while I was scanning this thread.

Truth. I was actually checking this thread because of that K to be honest...

Wieters makes me sad.

[gamer]

Pal, maybe I worded my first post incorrectly. I simply don't think we should call one minor league season a campaign... I know I know I could have worded the first post differently than saying "I wouldn't call 169 games a campaign" In a baseball sense, yes one season could be called a campaign, but how can you judge a player on a "campaign" that last 169 games when most players will spend much longer in the minors. Again, yes my first post could have been worded differently. For example the other posts I've said "I don't consider one season to be a campaign." I should have said "one minor league season." I honestly don't give a ****, I hope that cleared things up.

[tilgaham]

After watching Wieters strike out last night, my Mother says, "Wow, he sure looks like he's swinging the bat pretty slow. Maybe he needs to get some of those donuts!".

I'd be happy with .800 OPS and his current level of defense. The two blocks at the plate last night were absolutely superb, and kept us in the game.

[Sports Guy]

OK, but the key point still stands: the Royals weren't going to make that trade.

True..But you basically said it wasn't actually discussed except for here. That's wrong.

[ccbird]

Well I said earlier in the thread that I think Wieters is what he is for the most part but it also wouldn't suprise me if something clicked or change is made that allows him to become more like the hitter he was in college and the minors. To me, his biggest issues are mechanical. Somehow, someway he needs to get his timing consistent and his swing shorter.

[Rockford]

Wieters is so frustrating because most of the time he looks so lethargic swinging the bat. I will grant when he occasionally guesses right he can put a charge into the ball, but those times are so few and far between.

It still looks like he's overmatched against most fastballs. And when that is said, others invariably mention his first hit was a triple off Verlander and the whole fastball thing is a myth. Maybe if the mechanics of his swing are cleaned up, sure, he can hit good fastballs. I just don't see it right now.

I know guys like Palmeiro had smooth, beautiful swings that were effortless, but Wieters is a guy I wish would swing like he's mad up there. Trying to kill the ball is not always the best advice, but in this case I think it's needed. Or at least swing with some authority. I think Eddie Murray may have mentioned something along the same lines last year when he was part of the broadcast teams.

And it is so frustrating that he had that great season in the minors and now looks like this. Then you look over at Brett Lawrie, and whether or not his numbers in the minors were inflated by the PCL,that guy just looks like he's going to be a good hitter for a long time.

[Chevytrckman3]

And think, a few years ago people were worried about him being a Scott Boras client. At this point, we can probably get him pretty cheap come FA time

[Gurgi]

Maybe he needs a shorter and lighter bat? Or to choke up like Markakis is doing. That and working on smoothing out his swinging mechanics.

[Moose Milligan]

I'm really thankful for his defense but I cannot stand watching him at the plate anymore.

[jcroemer]

I seem to recall that scouts lavished praise on him for his bat speed when he was coming into the organization. Another top prospect struggling in an Oriole uniform... shocking. I think Wieters' offensive struggles serve to highlight the organization's inability to develop young talent into top talent.

[jets4ever]

Wieters is so frustrating because most of the time he looks so lethargic swinging the bat. I will grant when he occasionally guesses right he can put a charge into the ball, but those times are so few and far between.

It still looks like he's overmatched against most fastballs. And when that is said, others invariably mention his first hit was a triple off Verlander and the whole fastball thing is a myth. Maybe if the mechanics of his swing are cleaned up, sure, he can hit good fastballs. I just don't see it right now.

I know guys like Palmeiro had smooth, beautiful swings that were effortless, but Wieters is a guy I wish would swing like he's mad up there. Trying to kill the ball is not always the best advice, but in this case I think it's needed. Or at least swing with some authority. I think Eddie Murray may have mentioned something along the same lines last year when he was part of the broadcast teams.

And it is so frustrating that he had that great season in the minors and now looks like this. Then you look over at Brett Lawrie, and whether or not his numbers in the minors were inflated by the PCL,that guy just looks like he's going to be a good hitter for a long time.

Let him see something other than Oriole pitching in the next month or so before we make him a star.

[Spy Fox]

[section18]

You are correct. Duquette was I believe on the phone late with Boras and maybe PA just before midnight when they signed Wieters at the deadline. I don't think AM would trade MW because of all the hype that surrounded him. Does anyone know if Wieters wears contacts? He appears to be squinting sometimes on camera shots of him in the dugout and at the plate. I think he can get it together offensively if the manager and coaches tell him what to correct. I also wish someone would call the pitches for him. He is getting pitches from the dugout because you can see him looking over there between pitches during the games. He does not do it every pitch. Palmer would be perfect calling pitches but would never do it. So what's the consensus? Is he better right handed or left handed?