But you have to define bust first.
This.
People are using their own definitions of the word and then evaluating another's perspective when their definition is likely [different to very different].
Your position on his career, like most things, is tied to expectations.
Matt Wieters had a successful ML career. 18.9 Career WAR, over 60M in career earnings, multiple AS games, good reputation in the Game.
If your expectations are based on the average 1-5 pick, or catchers in general, or comparison to the group of draftees or players that just hope to make the Majors, fine, not a bust.
....but there is no player in Oriole history that likely had more expectations of what he could become than Matt Wieters. Whether that's fair or not in the context of expectations for any ML Player we can discuss, but it clearly was there. There were no expectations for Rowell or Hobgood. Lots of people hated those picks. Neither ever carried any significant expectations on what they could be at National, even local, level. Wieters was viewed as an impact bat and the questions surrounding the Orioles was would they be willing to draft him given his profile and agents. Wieters was supposed to save the franchise. The local and National fanbases and media had that perspective If that's unfair, that's, again, a different discussion, but it was largely the same conversation we're having about Adley being the 'best catcher in the league' right now and the pressure associated with that label.
If your expectations are that of a HoF player, of an impact offensive and defensive player that will carry the franchise on their back then Matt Wieters has fallen more short of that expectation than any other Oriole.
We're using different definitions.
