Matt Wieters Interview

March 28, 2007

Considered by many to be one of the top five 2007 draft-eligible talents in the country, Matt Wieters, 20, is a mountain of a man. The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Georgia Tech catcher hit .480/.606 with 15 home runs and 20 doubles in 259 at-bats as a sophomore in 2006.

I had a chance to watch Wieters play a couple of games against Duke last weekend. The switch-hitter went just 1-for-9 with a double on the weekend, and walked four times while only striking out on three occations. Though he looked solid behind the plate, Wieters is hitting just .439/.545 with five home runs and eight doubles in 99 at-bats -- he's due for a hot streak.

Following a 3-0 loss to Duke, Wieters was still kind enough to take a few minutes to talk with me about if he thinks he will be able to stick at catcher in professional baseball, his plate approach, and his buddy Justin Smoak (So. 1B for South Carolina).

Adam Foster: Your dad, Richard, was drafted in the 5th round by the Braves in 1977. Did you get your build from him and what has he taught you about baseball?

Matt Wieters: I'd say at least my height's from him. Growing up, they used to always say I look more like my mom, but I think I definitely got my height and build from my dad. He's taught me everything about baseball. Ever since I was three or four years old, we've been in the back yard playing baseball.

Foster: What do you feel like you have to prove this year?

Wieters: I don't have to prove anything. All you have to do it go out there and give it your best and you gotta hope that's good enough. You can't do more than that. All you can do is give your best.

Foster: Who's more intimidating: Matt Wieters the batter or Matt Wieters the pitcher?

Wieters: It changes. You can go through slumps at the plate where as at the same time you can go through slumps at the mound. But I don't really have to worry about how intimidating I am. I just have to go out there and get the job done.

Foster: Some people question if you'll be able to stick at catcher in professional baseball. What's your response to that?

Wieters: I like catching but anything that's going to keep me playing this game is what I'm going to do. I love being around it. I love playing any position. At the same time, catching's my first love, so I'd like to stay (behind the plate) as long as possible.

Foster: You've walked far more in college than you've struck out (124 BB vs. 91 K). Can you describe your plate approach?

Wieters: Well, you've just gotta get a good pitch to hit 'cause when you get to Division I college pitchers, they can spot up. So if you're swinging at their pitches and pitches outside the zone, you're not going to have much success here.

Foster: Who do you think will be drafted higher, you in 2007 or Justin Smoak (Wieters' childhood friend)?

Wieters: I don't know. I hope we both go No. 1, but I don't know if that's going to happen. I'll be happy for him wherever he's drafted. He's got a great shot of going No. 1 or No. 2 next year. Hopefully, he has a good year this year and has fun this summer. That's all I can tell him is to have fun this summer.  
Adam Foster can be reached at adamwfoster@gmail.com .