Matt Wieters: A Catcher's Chronicle
An in-depth exploration of a Major League Baseball career, from draft day to the diamond.
Career Overview ๐ Key Statistics ๐Dive in with Flashcard Learning!
๐ฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ฎ
Biographical Sketch
Professional Overview
Matthew Richard Wieters, born May 21, 1986, is a former American professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals, and St. Louis Cardinals. Renowned for his defensive prowess, Wieters earned multiple accolades throughout his career.
Early Life and Origins
Wieters was born in Goose Creek, South Carolina. He attended Stratford High School in Goose Creek, where he played baseball before pursuing higher education and collegiate athletics.
Career Highlights
Wieters' distinguished career includes four MLB All-Star selections and two Gold Glove Awards, recognizing him as one of the premier defensive catchers in the league during his tenure.
Collegiate Foundation
Georgia Tech
Wieters attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he played college baseball for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. He achieved significant recognition, being named a first-team All-America by multiple publications and earning ACC Rookie of the Year honors in 2005.
Cape Cod League
During the summer of 2006, Wieters played in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League for the Orleans Cardinals. His performance earned him the league's outstanding pro prospect award, and he was later inducted into the CCBL Hall of Fame in 2013, underscoring his early promise.
Collegiate Statistics
Wieters concluded his collegiate career with impressive statistics, ranking highly in Georgia Tech's record books for doubles, runs batted in, and batting average. He also served as a key contributor as a closer in his early college years.
Professional Journey
Draft and Minor Leagues
Wieters was selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft by the Baltimore Orioles. He quickly ascended through the minor league system, earning Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year award in 2008, a testament to his exceptional talent and readiness for the majors.
Baltimore Orioles (2009-2016)
Making his MLB debut in 2009, Wieters became a cornerstone catcher for the Orioles. His tenure was marked by consistent defensive excellence, culminating in two Gold Glove Awards and multiple All-Star selections. He was instrumental in the team's success during this period.
Washington Nationals (2017-2018)
Following his time with Baltimore, Wieters signed with the Washington Nationals. He continued to provide solid catching and leadership, exercising his player option for the 2018 season before becoming a free agent.
St. Louis Cardinals (2019-2020)
Wieters concluded his playing career with the St. Louis Cardinals, serving as a backup catcher. He signed a minor league contract in 2019 and returned for the 2020 season, contributing his experience to the team.
Accolades and Recognition
Gold Glove Awards
Wieters earned the prestigious Gold Glove Award twice (2011, 2012) as the American League's best defensive catcher. This award specifically recognizes exceptional fielding prowess and defensive contributions.
All-Star Selections
His consistent performance and impact on the field were recognized with four selections to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game (2011, 2012, 2014, 2016), representing the pinnacle of player achievement in a given season.
Fielding Bible Award
In addition to the Gold Glove, Wieters received the Fielding Bible Award in 2011, an honor that acknowledges outstanding defensive performance across all positions, further solidifying his reputation as an elite defender.
Career Statistics
Batting Performance
Throughout his MLB career, Wieters maintained a .249 batting average. He recorded 550 runs batted in and hit 146 home runs, demonstrating a solid offensive contribution alongside his defensive skills.
Comprehensive Data
Detailed career statistics, including advanced metrics and game logs, are available through reputable baseball statistics providers, offering a deeper dive into his performance metrics.
View Full Stats (opens in new tab)Post-Playing Career
Return to Alma Mater
Following his playing career, Wieters transitioned into coaching. In October 2022, he was appointed as a student assistant coach at his alma mater, Georgia Tech, contributing his expertise to the development of future players.
Personal Life
Family and Faith
Wieters is married and has two children. He has spoken publicly about his Christian faith, highlighting its importance in his life and career.
References
Source Material
The information presented on this page is derived from publicly available data, primarily the Wikipedia article on Matt Wieters.
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio
Click here to open the "Matt Wieters" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Disclaimer
Important Notice
This content is generated by an AI for informational and educational purposes only. It is based on a snapshot of publicly available data and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date. This page is not affiliated with or endorsed by Matt Wieters, Major League Baseball, or any of the teams mentioned.
This is not professional sports analysis or biographical advice. The information provided is not a substitute for consulting official team resources, sports analytics professionals, or biographical experts. Always seek the advice of qualified professionals for specific inquiries.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.