Orioles Notebook
Wieters Leaves Solid Impression in Brief Stay
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Wednesday, February 27, 2008
FORT LAURDERDALE, Fla., Feb. 26 -- Though he didn't specify a timetable, Baltimore Orioles Manager Dave Trembley said 2007 first-round draft pick Matt Wieters will be sent to the team's minor league camp to get acclimated with the pitching prospects he will likely work with this season. Still, that didn't stop the catcher from trying to add a few days to his first major league camp.
Wieters added an RBI single on Tuesday during the Orioles' first intrasquad game of the spring, once again drawing praise from Trembley, who called the prospect polished for his age and experience.
"Wieters has looked that way since the day he walked in this camp, looks like he's been here before," Trembley said.
Wieters, a non-roster invitee, was used as a designated hitter in the first of two scheduled five-inning scrimmages. But Trembley said Wieters will play catcher on Wednesday in Baltimore's final intrasquad game. Grapefruit League play begins against the Florida Marlins on Thursday.
"Got a hit, didn't strike out, put the ball in play," Wieters said. "Good day."
And the day got only brighter for the former Georgia Tech all-American. Wieters led a group of five Orioles named as among the top 100 prospects in the minors by industry publication Baseball America. The magazine ranked Wieters the No. 12 overall prospect in the minors and No. 1 among catching prospects though his only professional experience has been a stint in winter ball in Hawaii.
Chris Tillman (67) and Troy Patton (78), a pair of pitchers Baltimore received in the high-profile Erik Bedard and Miguel Tejada trades this offseason, made the list along with two homegrown products, pitcher Radhames Liz (69) and outfielder Nolan Reimold (91).
American League East rivals Tampa Bay and Boston topped the rankings with seven players each. Baltimore finished tied for second overall, one of seven organizations to place five players on the list.
Sherrill Closer to Return
Trembley said George Sherrill, the favorite to win the closing job, will throw off a pitcher's mound Wednesday for the first time since suffering a mild right hamstring strain.
Trembley said earlier this week that he wants Sherrill to emerge from two throwing sessions pain free before slotting him for action in a spring training game.
