I don’t know about you, but I miss the rated rookies subset and I think when and if Donruss ever gets their MLB license back they should definitely start producing them again. So in the meantime, I thought it would be fun to create a rated rookie set for this upcoming season. Unfortunately I’m sure Donruss owns the rights to the name so I have to come up a new name. I have come up my own name, which I’m sure has already been used, but what the hell, I’ll call them RIDICULOUS ROOKIES!
The rules are simple. To qualify the player has to have finished in at least AA or higher at the end of the 2008 season. They can have MLB time but no more than 150 at bats or no more than 50 innings pitched. These are all players that should make an impact in 2009. If you have any graphics skills come up with a logo and I’ll send you some bad wax. I’ve got my list and I’m counting backwards from 20 to 1. Let me know what you think.
2 – Ridiculous Rookies – Matt Wieters
Player Name: Matt Wieters
Player’s Team: Baltimore Orioles
Will he start the year in the majors this year?: He should, it appears that the O’s have been making all the off season moves to make him their opening day catcher.
Position: C
Outlook for this season: One of the best minor leaguers last year. He hit 0.355/27/91 last year between high A and AA. He then went to Arizona this off season and played some winter ball. The O’s think he is absolutely ready, he was a former Golden Spikes finalist. Defensively he needs some help throwing out runners, although through the entire season he was 40% at throwing out runners, when he moved to AA he was only at about 32%. Expect some growing pains in that department when he shifts to the majors. As far as production, there is no reason not to believe he is going to be a 0.305/30/100 as soon as next season. He could very well become a first round pick and the number one catcher in fantasy baseball by next season. There aren’t a whole lot of expectations awaiting the O’s this season as they are definitely in the rebuilding process. So expect him to grow into the position.
His future: I am very high on him. I believe his cieling is just as high as Piazza’s was coming hrough the Dodgers system. I think he is going to be that good. He will be the catcher for the O’s for years to come. Or until his contract comes up.
Card Values: Forget about it. They are astronomically high, so high he has to prove this season that he is worth it. If he falters and his cards start to drop, get them as quick as you can. Once he gets used to major league hitting he is going to be a monster. Autographs go for $150, rookie cards go for $30. Like I said way over inflated right now.
dang, his stuff is really a ripp off