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Washington Nationals Fantasy Outlook 2017: Matt Wieters

By Frank Ellis

Sep 20, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32) reacts after striking out to end the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32) reacts after striking out to end the second inning against the Boston Red Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Our Fantasy Friday series continues by looking at the new Washington Nationals catcher, Matt Wieters

The Washington Nationals newest catcher, Matt Wieters, is in an odd group. You cannot quite say that he is a must have in all fantasy leagues, but if he plays like he is supposed to he could be a fantasy star.

Wieters is being drafted on average as the 14th catcher taken in most leagues according to Fantasy Pros. 2016 was a good year for Wieters as he hit 17 home runs and had a batting average of .243. Believe it or not, it can be hard to find a catcher putting up those numbers. If we look back at the 2013 season Wieters had where he hit 22 home runs, he would possess a stat line even harder to find at the catcher position in fantasy.

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The wild card for Wieters comes in the form of his injuries. He just has not been able to stay healthy since 2014. These injuries have hurt his real life value and his fantasy value. No one wants a catcher they can’t rely on, because there won’t be many on the waiver wire that are worth anything.

The numbers for Matt can be at an A+ level, but if he isn’t on the field, then it doesn’t matter. I would stay away from Wieters in almost every case and I am a fantasy player who likes to draft catcher late.

He would be my last bet and if given the options of Colorado Rockies catcher Tom Murphy or Wieters, I’m taking Murphy. Murphy is young and he can hit which is hard to find out of the catcher position. If he is given a full time shot in 2017, he will likely out perform Wieters.

As a Washington Nationals fan, I hope that Wieters can stay healthy and we see the true potential of the former number one prospect in baseball.

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Unfortunately, I doubt that we will see that. It is more likely that Wieters misses a good chunk of games and provides an okay bat while he is playing. That just isn’t good enough to be on most fantasy teams. Stay away from Wieters until he proves that he can be consistent.

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