Where are they now - Matt Wieters

Great article on Wieters. They paraphrased Wieters saying that his 3 years at Georgia Tech were the best of his life. There are great quotes about his leadership, even this early in his career:

“(Varitek) was very impressive,” Thompson (his manager) said. “I think his leadership, what he brings back there behind the plate is something special at the major league level. “I think Matt’s that same type of guy.”

“Like the point guard, the quarterback, he’s the player-coach on the field,” Thompson said. “The players listen to coaches, but some of the best teams I’ve ever played on the players coached themselves. He’s got the right answers and they respect that.”

Current and former teammate Blake Wood had this to say: “He’s one of the best players I’ve ever played with,” Wood said. “He’s going to be a big leaguer in a short time. He’s a great player — whatever he does, it’s not really a surprise to me.”


Aside from all the good in the article, I find this quote interesting: “He’s learning how to call a game,” the manager said. “In college he was programmed being told what pitch to throw and when but not really explained to why. I’m basically giving him the game, but he’s a helluva leader."

I've got to be honest with you. I see that as a bit of an indictment on the current coaching staff. Wieters came to the Jackets with all-world talent, and you sure hope he developed in his ability to call a game while at Georgia Tech - not just through experience, but through instruction and interaction.

Having said that, Georgia Tech is pretty well known as a producer of short-stops and catchers, so I guess we shouldn't worry too much. Just an interesting quote.