Matt Wieters may be destined for AAA to start the season.

Peter Schmuck dropped this news on his blog: “Matt Wieters, who is the only one of the Orioles’ elite prospects that is still in camp, probably will be sent to minor league camp very soon. Manager Dave Trembley said today that he wants to start playing the regular starting lineup over the next few days.”

Not the best move by the Orioles, given Wieters is predicted to tear up the league given Nate Silver’s PECOTA projections. Silver predicts Wieter’s VORP to be 59.6 and his WARP 7.9, highest among catchers and highest among AL hitters, respectively. Currently at the top of the Os’ depth chart is Gregg Zaun, whose lifetime OPS+ is 90.

Now, it’s not total insanity, as the Orioles are clearly tanking the 2009 season in favor of 2010, when they’re planning on unleashing the fury as the decade winds down. At the same time, a potential Rookie of the Year candidate beating up pitchers in the minors just seems like a waste of ticket sales.

Source.

Joe Blancato matt wieters, orioles, peter schuck