The day that so many have waited so long for has finally arrived. Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters will make his big league debut Friday against the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers.
If you're a fantasy baseball person, check your league, he is still available in 30 percent of ESPN leagues and likely will outperform your current starter, unless you have Joe Mauer.
Why is everyone so hyped about Wieters? Consider these words from ESPN's Buster Olney on Baseball Tonight:
"He is regarded as baseball's best prospect," Olney said. "He's probably the best prospect that the Orioles have turned out since Cal Ripken in the early 1980's."
Or these words from a teammate yesterday:
"He is the switch-hitting Jesus."
Wow. Sure, the Orioles haven't really been known for turning out any big time prospects over that period, but to be compared to Ripken or Jesus in anyway is a huge credit to the ability of this young man. He has also drawn comparison to Mauer, who is having a monster start.
This is exactly why I, along with the entire Orioles' fan base, have been waiting patiently all season for the arrival of Wieters in the big leagues.
So far this season, Wieters is batting .305 with five home runs and 30 RBIs in 39 games through Wednesday with Triple-A Norfolk. Yet, many believe those numbers will pale in comparison to his eventual numbers as the everyday catcher for Baltimore.
If you have MLB.tv or MLB Extra Innings, be sure to catch the game tonight at 6:05 p.m. (CDT). If you cannot watch it live, follow it on MLB.com or catch the highlights tonight on SportsCenter. Sure, there may be a big NBA playoff game on tonight, but it will likely not decide the series between the Lakers and Nuggets.
The debut of Wieters, on the other hand, is something that cannot be missed.
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