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The Birds Nest

Orioles Stud of the Week

Two-time All Star's hot start could be sign of bigger breakout year.

By Ron Cassie | April 21, 2014, 02:04 pm

Screen shot 2014-04-21 at 4.23.35 PM
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Stud of the Week for April 14-21:
Matt Wieters

The line:
Known as one of the game’s top defensive catchers, the two-time All Star is off to a hot start with the bat, hopefully a sign of a breakout offensive year. Entering Monday’s game, he was batting .321, tied for team-best in homers, with three, and second on the O’s with 11 RBIs.

Studliest moment:
In the 7th inning of Saturday’s O’s-Red Sox game in Boston, Wieters jumped up and got in the face of Red Sox catcher David Ross when he began jawing at Oriole pitcher Bud Norris. Ross, attempting to sacrifice bunt, took exception when Norris came in high and tight with a couple of fastballs—standard operating procedure when a batter is trying a sacrifice—and Wieters did the right thing in getting in front of Ross and defending his pitcher. Best part: Ross backed down and ultimately struck out.

The clincher:
Along with his stellar defense and handling of the pitching staff, Wieters delivered RBI hits in each of the O’s three wins last week against Tampa Bay and the Red Sox.