2 replies to this topic

[LanceRinker]

http://baltimorespor...-league-update/

The Orioles have over a dozen players on DWL rosters with a few that have done pretty well - there's one in particular to keep an eye on.

[Tucker Blair]

I do not agree with Wheeler being a guy to watch.

To start. I take all winter league stats with a grain of salt. Honestly, there are just way too many factors involved to really make a true picture of how a player is doing there. Pitchers are getting work in, players are tired from the long year, and talent levels are not consistent enough. Pitchers range anywhere from Rookie league guys to MLB guys. Really tough to know how someone is doing when there is such a pendulum swing in talent and refinement.

On Wheeler, he gets on base and has a little pop, but there is nothing that I see that makes me think he can be anything at the MLB level. He regressed last year from every person I talked to and from my personal viewpoint. He's fairly athletic for his size, but he simply cannot play SS or 2B anymore on a consistent basis, and I might even question him as a 3B down the line. Although he is decent there right now.

[LanceRinker]

I do not agree with Wheeler being a guy to watch.

To start. I take all winter league stats with a grain of salt. Honestly, there are just way too many factors involved to really make a true picture of how a player is doing there. Pitchers are getting work in, players are tired from the long year, and talent levels are not consistent enough. Pitchers range anywhere from Rookie league guys to MLB guys. Really tough to know how someone is doing when there is such a pendulum swing in talent and refinement.

On Wheeler, he gets on base and has a little pop, but there is nothing that I see that makes me think he can be anything at the MLB level. He regressed last year from every person I talked to and from my personal viewpoint. He's fairly athletic for his size, but he simply cannot play SS or 2B anymore on a consistent basis, and I might even question him as a 3B down the line. Although he is decent there right now.

I get what you are saying and even agree (to an extent) that off-season league stats don't mean much, but hear me out.

Wheeler has played in all 46 of his team's games so far and is now hitting .321 (they played another game after I wrote my piece). Any player that plays that many games without getting much of a day off clearly has to be performing well, otherwise he wouldn't be getting so much playing time.

Again, this is the Mexican Pacific League but there are some quality players here - most of which are guys who spend their entire careers here but these are also guys that are motivated to do well for their country with so many scouts in the area to monitor the major/minor league roster guys.

He's also in the top ten in just about every offensive category. He's walking at a higher rate and hitting the ball with more authority. Not saying that will necessarily translate well to the bigs next season but because he's been keeping his performance up so high, and so consistently, he's at least worth keeping an eye on. Give him a shot in spring training and see if he can earn a bench spot.

Worse case scenario is he goes to Triple-A and if he performs well there then he'll earn himself a call up.

Who else do we have on the roster that could play third base and provide a little pop?

He's also been named player of the week:
http://translate.goo...ved=0CDcQ7gEwAA

Zelous Wheeler highlight at the 1:30 mark.
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