2010 MLB Breakout Player Profile: Matt Wieters, C Orioles

Written By Todd Farino, http://www.fantasybaseballsearch.com/.

Player: Matt Wieters

Team: Baltimore Orioles

Bats: Switch

Position: C

FBS Breakout Rank: 8/30

Matt Wieters is one of a group of young hitters I'm excited to watch in 2010.  Everyone knew last season that it wouldn't be long before Wieters was brought up to the big leagues.  The wait wasn't long with Wieters making his major league debut May 29th.  In an abbreviated season, Wieters compiled 9 home runs and 43 RBI in 354 ab bats at catcher.  He provided the Orioles with an offensive spark with a .288 rookie average and started 84 games.

As the Orioles #1 draft pick in 2007, Wieters has done major damage in the minors.  He consistently hits for power and supported it with a tremendous batting average nearly every year.  He in smashed into a young and growing Orioles lineup with other emerging players like Adam Jones and Nolan Reimold.  He will find plenty of opportunities for RBIs and see allot of good pitchers.  Also, a often overlooked plus for the power hitting catcher is he's a switch hitter.

In the 2010 drafts, managers are paying high prices for McCann, Martinez, and Mauer.  The M&M&M brothers are great as my friend Rhett Oldham says, but Wieters is a far superior value for his cost.  In auction drafts he's going for roughly $13 and his ADP is 96th overall.  Wieters will provide your 2010 fantasy team with excellent power and average from the catcher position, which gives your team the advantage.  Most catchers are missing speed, average, and in most cases both.  Wieters closes the gap for you with a near .300 batting average according to my projections.  At 23 years old, Wieters is one of the best developed hitters at his age.
The True Guru Projections: .299 BA, 20 Hrs, 80 RBI, 69 Runs, 0 SB

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