Matt Wieters, catcher, Washington Nationals
Newly minted Washington Nationals catcher Matt Wieters’ production is in decline. His wRC+ dropped from 101 in 2015 to 88 in 2016, thanks mostly to a second half in which he slashed .227/.294/.399. Now, Wieters is the starting catcher on a Nationals team that will compete.
In the same role last season, Wilson Ramos hit .307/.354/.496 with better pitch framing numbers than Wieters to boot. Although it’s not as black-and-white as Wieters needing to replace Ramos’ production in full, Washington does need some level of increased production from him.
Wieters, who signed late in the offseason, is still getting into baseball shape. Click on any article about him and the tone of low expectations, not to mention the feeling that the Nats bargained on the catcher position, shines through nearly every time. Dusty Baker told MLB.com on March 4, “It’s Spring Training more for [Wieters] than anybody.”
If that doesn’t motivate a ballplayer, I don’t know what does. Wieters doesn’t just have to prove he can help the Nationals win, he has to prove he’s still a capable player and not a declining shadow of a former Sports Illustrated coverboy.