Wieters is hitting .239

[docjj]

That just won't do....

[CSPitt17130]

That just won't do....

This is right after an 0-for-20 and 5-for-43 half way through May, where these stretches will have more of an effect on stats. His OBP is still .325 and he's slugging .476. He's still the best defensive catcher in the league. He's fine.

[TuckerBlair89]

He just caught a 17 inning and 15 inning game. It takes a toll on a player.
He is the least of the Orioles worries right now.

[Matt P]

That just won't do....

Yeah, he hasn't looked good at the plate for a while now. Hopefully two off days in the next three days will get him back on track.

[TuckerBlair89]

That just won't do....

Yeah, he hasn't looked good at the plate for a while now. Hopefully two off days in the next three days will get him back on track.

Matt seems to go through these lulls at least once or twice a year. I honestly would not be too worried.

[Zach]

Matt will pick it back up and the fact that we can maintain this record with him hitting this poorly says something about this team.

[osforlife]

He'll be fine. He got a nice hit last night. The same thing that makes you happy makes you sad. He went through a stretch in August last year where he was hitting tremendously and now he's going through a slump.

[A_K]

I've paid no attention to his slump to date and I'll continue not to. Best defensive catcher in baseball who was tearing the cover off the ball up until a lengthy slump. He remains the best player on the team.

[Matt P]

I've paid no attention to his slump to date and I'll continue not to. Best defensive catcher in baseball who was tearing the cover off the ball up until a lengthy slump. He remains the best player on the team.

You think he is better than Jones?

[CSPitt17130]

You think he is better than Jones?

Right now, Jones is hitting better than Wieters, but at the end of the season, they'll probably be very close in overall offensive value. Wieters is a better defender at a more premium position. Wieters is a better player.

[A_K]

I love Jones and am really enjoying his season. Despite their performances through the first quarter of 2012 I dont think there's any question that Wieters is not only the best Oriole but also the best catcher in all of baseball.

[birdwatcher55]

Did you like the game he called last night???

[CSPitt17130]

Did you like the game he called last night???

The most important thing about the game he called last night was how many times he had Matusz throw the changeup despite Matusz throwing it at the letters or in the dirt early in the game. Matusz had a very good changeup when he was pitching well in 2010. It's more of a feel pitch than the fastball or breaking ball so he needs to throw it in order to get it all the way back. He threw it 14 times last night, compared to 5 on 5/17 (Exposito), 3 on 5/12 (Exposito), 11 on 5/7 (Exposito), 16 on 5/1 (Wieters), 18 on 4/26 (Wieters), 13 on 4/20 (Wieters), 17 on 4/15 (Paulino), and 8 on 4/9 (Wieters). Wieters definitely seems more willing to stay with the changeup than Exposito, and I think that will help Matusz continue to improve.

*Pitch data was from PitchFX compiled by Brooks Baseball

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/content.php