Matt Wieters (C-BAL)

Injury – He tore a ligament in his elbow which required season-ending Tommy John surgery.

2014 Season – Wieters was limited to only 26 games before being shut down.  He finished the season hitting a solid .308 with five home runs and 18 RBI in just 112 at bats.

Reason For Optimism  

  • He was one of the most consistent power-hitting catchers in baseball averaging over 22 home runs per season from 2011-2013.
  • The Orioles will likely give Wieters additional rest from behind the plate which means he will get more at bats as a DH..
  • Wieters will be a free agent after 2015 so he is extra motivated to prove his health and worth in order to cash in on a lucrative long-term deal.
  • Recovering from Tommy John surgery is less difficult for non-pitchers.

Reason For Concern

  • The elbow injury could affect Wieters’ swing from one or both sides of the plate which might limit his power.
  • The Orioles did not replace Nelson Cruz and Nick Markakis so Wieters will have less protection around him in the lineup.
  • He has yet to return behind the plate in game action and only recently began throwing drills, so there is a chance he could begin the season on the DL if he does not make enough progress..

2015 OUTLOOK – Wieters has never been known to provide much help with batting average only hitting .248 in his first four full seasons (2010-2013), but he got off to a great start in 2014 before getting shut down.  Now in a contract year, it will be interesting to see whether he can combine his typical power production with a more balanced approach at the plate.  Assuming he does not have any setbacks or lingering issues with his elbow, you should expect another season with at least 20 home runs and 75 RBI.  He might slip in drafts due to concerns about his injury, but he could provide great value in two-catcher leagues if you time it correctly.  Because most catchers do not offer any type of power in Roto leagues, he is certainly worth the risk.

If you are wondering the best way to evaluate players such as Wieters so that you can be prepared for your draft, then be sure to find out how to get your free copy of the incredible 2015 Fantasy Alarm Baseball Draft Guide.

Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and co-host of the Fantasy Alarm Podcast.  You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment),