Facing a mountain of expectations long before making his major league debut on May 29, 2009, Matt Wieters can finally call himself an All-Star.
The 25-year-old catcher was selected by Texas manager Ron Washington as an American League reserve, becoming the first Orioles catcher to make the All-Star team since Mickey Tettleton in 1989.
Despite a modest .262 average and seven home runs, Wieters’ defensive prowess had to catch Washinton’s eye as the catcher has thrown out 23 runners attempting to steal (45 percent) and has made just one error all season. His performance behind the plate has quickly earned him the reputation as one of the finest backstops in all of baseball.
Wieters is hitting .426 (23-for-54) with runners in scoring position while driving in 33 runs in 2011. The catcher is the Orioles’ lone representative as center fielder Adam Jones and shortstop J.J. Hardy were not selected as reserves. The Orioles have not had multiple players selected to the All-Star Game since 2005 when Miguel Tejada, Melvin Mora, Brian Roberts, and B.J. Ryan were chosen to play in Detroit.
Jones has been included as one of five American League choices in the “Final Vote,” allowing fans to vote for the final player on each team.
