For the Orioles and Their Rookie Catcher, Great Expectations

BALTIMORE – Matt Wieters didn’t get a chance to ease into his major-league debut.

The Baltimore Orioles’ prized, 23-year-old catching prospect crouched down behind the plate and gave pitcher Brad Bergesen the sign for the game’s first pitch. Detroit Tigers leadoff hitter Josh Anderson attempted a bunt. Wieters sprang to his feet, pounced on the ball and fired a strike to first baseman Aubrey Huff. One pitch, one out in the major-league career of last year’s minor-league player of the year.

Embraced by Birds fans as a savior, Wieters went 0-for-4 at the plate tonight in a 7-2 romp by the Orioles. But neither the 0-for nor a thunderstorm that delayed the start of the game by 26 minutes dampened the enthusiasm amongst the 42,704 people here at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Orioles said they sold roughly 15,000 tickets after general manager Andy MacPhail announced Tuesday that Wieters would make his debut tonight, and the crowd cheered each of his at-bats.

Wieters is the most prominent member of an impressive array of young talent the O’s have assembled. Adam Jones and Nick Markakis anchor an outstanding outfield. The pitching will take a few more years, with the likes of Jake Arrieta, Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman and David Hernandez—who made his debut Thursday night—in the Baltimore system.

For now, Wieters carries the hopes and dreams of a last-place team’s proud fanbase. But the Orioles play in the ultra-competitive American League East, and their pockets aren’t nearly as deep as the Yankees or Red Sox. They are trying to follow the Tampa Bay model, and Wieters is their Evan Longoria.

Welcome to the bigs, hon. No pressure – even after the 0-for-4. “Hopefully,” Wieters told the Baltimore Sun after the game, “they’ll keep cheering me for a few more games.”