Bust Candidate: C Matt Wieters
By Bill Pivetz
Mar 11, 2015; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles designator hitter Matt Wieters (32) at bat against the Toronto Blue Jays at a spring training game at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
One big thing of fantasy baseball is to find the player who not many other owners in your league are looking for, or sleepers. On the contrary, there are players that you know but should avoid at all costs, or busts. This article talks about the later. Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is a bust candidate for 2015.
Over the last three seasons before 2014, Wieters hit 22, 23 and 22 home runs, respectively. A power-hitting catcher is common, but with the lack of depth at catcher, Wieters could have been a top-10 catcher entering 2015. However, last season was a big let down.
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After a good six weeks of baseball, five home runs, 18 RBI and 13 runs with a .308 average, Wieters’ season was cut short and underwent Tommy John surgery. Despite having just 112 plate appearances, Wieters looked to be more aggressive at the plate. He had a higher swing rate and shorter at bats.
While position players usually recover from TJ surgery faster than pitchers, catchers need to use their arms to keep base runners at bay. He obviously won’t be ready for Opening Day, but the hope is that Wieters should be ready to return by the end of April.
If he continued his 2014 pace for the rest of the season, he would have finished with 184 hits, 28 home runs and 103 RBI over 150 games (he hasn’t played more than 148 games in his career). Granted, 184 hits is a little outrageous, but he would have been a top fantasy catcher at the end of the season.
With the one-month absence and possible soreness, Wieters drops in rankings. He could comeback and finish 2015 strong, but the odds aren’t in his favor. If you play in a two-catcher or much deeper league, Wieters should be drafted in the later rounds. If you play in a standard league, avoid drafting a bust.